Rochester Freedom Trail

Rochester Freedom Trail

The African American struggle for freedom prior to the Civil War was significant in shaping the definition of American freedom.

The Rochester-Monroe County Freedom Trail Commission seeks to document and interpret the lives and activities of those who sought freedom from enslavement and those who assisted them.

The freedom struggle of that era embraced states, regions, and nations. The principal focus of this commission is the escape routes running through and around Rochester, New York.

The Rochester-Monroe County Freedom Trail Commission will attend to those individuals, and to sites already well connected to the Underground Railroad.

The commission will also strive to illuminate less well-known participants, with the expectation that the designations “network” and “movement” will become self-evident.

Many Monroe County locations were used as safe-houses to shelter slaves before they were placed on boats. The primary Monroe County route was from Henrietta to Rochester.

Better known stations include:

• The Henry Quinby farm by Mendon Ponds Park.
• The David H. Richardson farm on East Henrietta Road near Castle Road.
• The Warrant farm in Brighton, now 1956 West Henrietta Road.
• The old Frederick Douglass home near Highland Park.
• A cluster of houses where numerous Quakers lived (the current Blue Cross Arena location).
• The Harvey Humphrey, Esp. house at 669 Genesee Street.