'Journey to Freedom' exhibit stops at Decatur Public Library

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad Exhibit has made its way to the Decatur Public Library.

This exhibit shares the stories of freedom seekers, who took the risk to escape slavery in the south to find freedom.

"The exhibit is about the Underground Railroad in Illinois, specifically Illinois. The spots that we know of in Illinois that were part of the underground railroad, conductors that were part of it, the freedom seekers that were part of it," said Becky Damptz, DPL's Head of Achieves and Special Collections.

There are eight people's stories shared throughout the exhibit, each one equally as risky.

"Susan Richardson was a freedom seeker who became a conductor, and she actually was part of a lawsuit because I guess she got caught, her and the person she was helping out. With her freedom, Susan became an active organizer and conductor of the Underground Railroad in Galesburg and helped found the Allen A.M.E Church in Galesburg," said Damptz.

Susan Richardson is just one of the many amazing stories that took place in Illinois that are waiting to be shared.

Damptz said that the creator of the exhibit had many more people for Illinois they would've loved to include, but couldn't fit all of them into the exhibit. To view more freedom seekers and their stories, click here.

The last day to view the exhibit is April 29th.