Underground Railroad Experience

Take an inspiring trip back in time to the year 1821, as you travel in this walking drama with historic characters who welcome you as a freedom seeker. Learn about escaping the realities of slavery, escaping to freedom, and Spring Hill Farm and Massillon’s role in the Underground Railroad. Visitors will be immersed in the performance as the actors lead you through the Spring Hill grounds.

2023 Performance times: 10:00am | 11:15am | 12:45pm (porch) | 2:00pm | 3:15pm

Performances are immersive and involve traveling across Spring Hill grounds for about 40 minutes. Anyone lacking mobility should consider tickets for the seated performance.

Open-house style tours of the 1821 farmhouse accompanies your ticket from 10am to 5pm, EXCEPT for 12:30 - 1:30pm during the porch performance. At this time our tours of the house and grounds are not ADA accessible. We are diligently working to develop virtual walking tours of the 1821 farmhouse for equal access for everyone!

Other surrounding activities will take place across the Spring Hill grounds, including info/activity tables from other local history and Underground Railroad organizations (such as Summit County Historical Society's John Brown House and Massillon Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Department. NEW this year will be first-person programs on Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) and Harriet Tubman (1822-1913). Sojourner Truth is portrayed by Robin Echols Cooper of Women In History Ohio, and Harriet Tubman is portrayed by Allison Smith of the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers. These programs are included with your ticket and will take place in the granary barn at 11:00am (Truth) 1:00pm (Truth) and 2:15pm (Tubman). The granary barn is a short walk from the parking lot. This portion of the event is made possible, in part, by Visit Canton and Arts in Stark.

Concessions will be available between 11:00am and 2:00pm, with snacks and water available throughout the event.

This event is presented by Spring Hill Historic Home and Presenting Sponsor Aqua Ohio, with support from our Freedom Sponsors: Fraternal Order of Eagles #190, Fresh Mark/Sugardale, MCTV, and Midwestern Industries. Marketing and performer support from Visit Canton/Arts in Stark.

Tickets will be released to the public on Tuesday, May 30 at 12pm on our website and Facebook page.