Black Cultural Center to sponsor tour to historic freedom site
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"Battle Creek's heritage is rich and varied, making it one of the most historically distinctive communities in the country. It was an important stop on the 'Quaker Route' of the underground railroad," said BCC director Renee Thomas. "Battle Creek was the home of African-American abolitionist Sojourner Truth and many social reform efforts."
The Freedom Saga Heritage Tour tells the story of Battle Creek's commitment to freedom and human rights, Thomas said. Scheduled stops include: the Underground Railroad sculpture, the nation's largest sculpture commemorating the Underground Railroad; the Historic Adventist Village, a recreated 19th century village; and Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal church, which was founded in the early 1860s and the Second Baptist Church, which began in 1849 and consisted of a small group of Battle Creek African Americans; and a visit to the 12-foot-high sculpture of Sojourner Truth.
The two-day excursion concludes with a full-course meal of soul food dishes and a Reader's Theatre presentation featuring the songs and speeches of Sojourner Truth.
The cost is $100 for the general public and $35 for Purdue students. Registration fees cover transportation, lodging, admission fees and lunch. Call (765) 494-3092 for more information or to pre-register.
Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu
Source: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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