William Still: The Father of the Underground Railroad
William Still documented the stories of over 649 freedom seekers who passed through his Philadelphia station between 1853 and 1861, creating the most comprehensive record of Underground Railroad operations ever assembled. His meticulous record-keeping wasn’t just historical preservation – it was a lifeline for separated families trying to reconnect after the Civil War. Still’s office at the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society became a central hub where conductors received assignments and funding for their dangerous missions. Despite facing constant surveillance by slave catchers and federal marshals, Still…..