Levi Coffin House, Underground Railroad station in Fountain City, US
The Levi Coffin House is a two-story brick residence built in Federal style with hidden chambers designed to shelter people fleeing slavery as they traveled northward. The structure features carefully planned elements including an interior water well and concealed passages that allowed movement between different sections of the building.
From 1839 to 1847, the house served as a refuge where Levi and Catharine Coffin helped more than 2000 enslaved people reach northern states. This period made the building and its residents key figures in a larger network of liberation.
The house reflects the Quaker community's strong stance against slavery, with the family and neighbors working together to shelter people escaping bondage. Visitors can sense how this commitment shaped the daily life and choices of those who lived here.
The house welcomes visitors from Tuesday through Saturday during June to October with guided tours explaining its role in the Underground Railroad network. It helps to check ahead about available tours or special programs to get the most from your visit.
The house features a water well running through its interior, an uncommon feature for homes of that era that served both practical and symbolic purposes. This detail reveals how the Coffins deliberately designed their infrastructure to provide safety and self-sufficiency.
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