John Brown Tannery Site, Archaeological site in Richmond Township, Pennsylvania
The John Brown Tannery Site is an archaeological location in Pennsylvania marked by stone foundation walls that show where a building once operated near the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal. The site features preserved remains and informational panels that explain the historical operations and its broader significance.
An entrepreneur established this tannery in 1825 and operated it for roughly a decade before joining the abolitionist movement and becoming a key figure in it. The building later became associated with this social movement rather than its original industrial purpose.
This location served as a major station on the Underground Railroad, helping people escaping enslavement reach freedom in northern states during the 1800s. The remnants and display panels tell the story of this hidden network and its role in the community.
The site is accessible via a parking area and features a paved entrance plaza with on-site interpretive panels. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the grounds are partially uneven and the ruins are explored on foot.
The foundation contains a hidden, ventilated room built into its structure that sheltered people escaping enslavement during the 1800s. This concealed chamber demonstrates the practical methods used to assist those traveling hidden routes to freedom.
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