An Innovative Summer Institute for Teachers: Examining the Underground Railroad

Abstract

study of the Underground Railroad, I planned a one-week (all-day) summer institute with follow-up sessions to be held during the fall semester. The purpose of the institute was to study the historical/cultural context of the Underground Railroad in the geographic area of Kentucky and Ohio. I used a multidisciplinary approach to examine our local history in order to study contemporary issues of freedom, equity, and civil rights. Most of my students were classroom teachers from Ohio and Kentucky. The intent was for the teachers to use the knowledge they gained to make this aspect of our region's unique history come alive for their students. Before discussing the details of the course, however, it is necessary to understand something of the problems involved in teaching this topic and the special significance it has for Kentucky and Ohio teachers. The Underground Railroad is a part of American history that has been surrounded by a cloud of folklore. For some, the Underground Railroad conjures up visions of secret passageways, tunnels connecting basements to rivers, hidden rooms, and other mythical notions. Typically the story is