The Salem Historical Society’s Underground Railroad Trolley Tour has been accepted into the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. From left, historical society volunteers Joy Cable, Keith Mann and Jay Wooten. (Submitted photo)

SALEM – The Salem Historical Society’s Underground Railroad Trolley Tour has been accepted into the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program.

The Network to Freedom’s mission is to honor, preserve, and promote the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight. Underground Railroad history continues to inspire people worldwide. Through its mission, the Network to Freedom advances the idea that all human beings have the right to self-determination and freedom from oppression. The program works in collaboration with local, state, and federal entities, as well as individuals and organizations, to create a “network” of sites, facilities, and programs with a verifiable connection to the Underground Railroad.

Volunteers Keith Mann, Jay Wooten and Joy Cable took several months to complete the application. Their efforts involved extensive documentation and research to validate that the information presented in this program is accurate and supported through primary sources such as books, newspapers, and diaries, many of which have been collected and preserved at the museum. To be accepted into the program, the application had to demonstrate that the Salem Historical Society preserves and accurately presents Salem’s important role in the Underground Railroad.

The Salem Historical Society is now awaiting an official National Park Service Network to Freedom Passport Stamp for trolley visitors who participate in the NPS Passport Book program.

The Underground Railroad Trolley Tours have been a popular community event for many years, and the Salem Historical Society invites everyone to watch its website for upcoming tour schedules.

For information, visit Salem Historical Society at SalemHistoricalSociety.org.