Experience interactive 'Fugitive's Path - Escape on the Underground Railroad' at Hale Farm & Village

BATH, Ohio - The 13th annual A Fugitive’s Path - Escape on the Underground Railroad -- an interactive, role-playing program that takes you back in time -- returns to Hale Farm & Village.

It begins on the auction block with slaves sold to a harsh overseer. A twist of fate allows them to escape, traveling under the blanket of darkness on a perilous 90-minute journey in search of freedom. 

The Underground Railroad impacted the lives of those who lived and traveled through the Western Reserve of Ohio in the mid-19th century. Pockets of abolitionism flourished in almost every Western Reserve community, leading historians to often label the Western Reserve a “hotbed” of abolitionism and anti-southern hostility.

Fulfilling the Western Reserve Historical Society mission to “inspire people to discover the American experience” the thought-provoking “A Fugitive’s Path” program teaches you about, and lets you experience, a part of our social and cultural history that continues to reflect upon modern society.

Past participants have described the two-hour experience as powerful and emotional. One visitor commented, “Phenomenal acting. Everything seemed so real at the time it was going on. The reverend was excellent, as were the other actors. This is an amazing service to the community.”  Another said, “When the slave catcher came, your adrenaline really started and you had a taste of fear.”

Evening tours dates include: March 30, 31; April 6, 7, 13, 14 beginning at 6 p.m.  Tours depart every 20 minutes. Tickets are $20 non-members; $15 for groups of 15 people or more; $12/student for school groups.