Vivian Papson’s Pioneering Spirit Shines Through
Vivian Papson, the first Black teacher in Shaker Heights, Ohio, has co-founded the North Star Underground Railroad Museum in Ausable Chasm, New York. Together with her husband Don, a fellow educator, Vivian has dedicated herself to illuminating the untold stories of freedom and the Adirondacks’ pivotal role in the Underground Railroad.
Uncovering the Region’s Hidden History
Established in 2011, the museum sheds light on a broad expanse of history, spanning the War of 1812, the antebellum years, the Civil War, and more recent events.
Through personal stories, artifacts like leg irons found under floorboards, and exhibits, the museum chronicles the North Country’s participation in the Underground Railroad and its enduring legacy as a “Gateway to Freedom.”
“Even though the house was not built until the 1880s, Herbert Estes was a Union soldier imprisoned in North Carolina’s Salisbury Prison. He kept a diary, and because he survived, he was asked to talk about his experiences to Congress. You can go online and read it.” – Jacqueline Madison, President of the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association
Honoring Trailblazers and Unsung Heroes
One of the museum’s centerpieces is an object theater dedicated to John Thomas, an escaped slave from Maryland who found refuge in the Adirondacks.
Through narration, video, sound, and spotlighted artifacts, visitors can learn about Thomas’s remarkable journey and the community’s defiance against slave catchers.
The museum also honors other unsung heroes, like Wendell Lansing, a vocal abolitionist who was forced to leave Keeseville for six years due to his activism, and Stephen Keese Smith, a Quaker known for aiding runaway slaves.
Preserving and Celebrating Freedom’s Legacy
Through exhibits, events like the Juneteenth Colors of Freedom Tour, and educational initiatives, the North Star Underground Railroad Museum ensures that the stories of those who fought for freedom are preserved and celebrated.
