The Destination Freedom Walking Tour explores the rich history of the Underground Railroad and the African-American community in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The tour begins at the Waverly Community House. It makes its way around the building’s square, then proceeds north on Abington Road, stopping at the sites that were the homes, schools, churches, and meeting places of the 19th-century abolitionists and runaways. One of the final stops on the tour includes Carbondale Road, a large stretch of road that became home to one of the area’s largest runaway settlements.
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH), funded by 400 Years of African-American History Commission. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASALH or the Department of the Interior.
Individual Guided Tour
60 Minutes$10.00 per person. Payment accepted prior to the start of your tour. This option is for individuals and small groups under 15. Please refer to the Group Tour section for large groups. This shorter, condensed tour option encompasses the area around the Waverly Community House Square. Notable sites on this route include the Historic Waverly Community House, built in 1919, the Fell Schoolhouse, a historic one room schoolhouse that stands as the oldest in the region, and 12 additional sites of significance. From September-June, please call our office at (570) 586-8191, to book a tour.
Individual Guided Tour Plus Cemetery
90 Minutes$15.00 per person. Payment accepted prior to the start of your tour. This option is for individuals and small groups under 15. Please refer to the Group Tour section for large groups. This full length guided tour takes approximately 90 minutes and features the Waverly Community House Square, as well as the portion along Carbondale, including the area that previously held the largest runaway settlement in the region. The tour ends at the Hickory Grove Cemetery, containing an entire section dedicated to the burials of former runaways. From September-June, please call our office at (570) 586-8191, to book a tour.
Guided Group Tour Experience (Groups of 15-24)
90 MinutesFull-length Tour (Group Rate) $150 This option is for large, field trip groups of 15-24 individuals. Please refer to individual rates for under 15 people. Payment is accepted before the start of your tour. Led by knowledgeable guides, this experience unravels the history of the Underground Railroad, offering a firsthand encounter with the challenges faced by those seeking freedom. Discover authentic safe houses, churches, and covert meeting spots, gaining insights into the courageous individuals who shaped this pivotal chapter in American history. At the end of the tour, visitors are given the option to visit the Destination Freedom Special Exhibitions Gallery, featuring museum exhibits on the Underground Railroad and Civil War. From September-June, please call our office at (570) 586-8191, to book a tour.
Guided Group Tour Experience (Groups of 25-50)
90 MinutesFull-length Tour (Group Rate) $250 This option is for large, field trip groups of 25-50 individuals. Please refer to individual rates for under 15 people. Payment is accepted before the start of your tour. Led by knowledgeable guides, this experience unravels the history of the Underground Railroad, offering a firsthand encounter with the challenges faced by those seeking freedom. Discover authentic safe houses, churches, and covert meeting spots, gaining insights into the courageous individuals who shaped this pivotal chapter in American history. At the end of the tour, visitors are given the option to visit the Destination Freedom Special Exhibitions Gallery, featuring museum exhibits on the Underground Railroad and Civil War. From September-June, please call our office at (570) 586-8191, to book a tour.
Guided Group Tour Experience (Groups of 50 and over)
90 MinutesFull-length Tour (Group Rate) $350 This option is for large, field trip groups of 50 individuals and over. Please refer to individual rates for under 15 people. Payment is accepted before the start of your tour. Led by knowledgeable guides, this experience unravels the history of the Underground Railroad, offering a firsthand encounter with the challenges faced by those seeking freedom. Discover authentic safe houses, churches, and covert meeting spots, gaining insights into the courageous individuals who shaped this pivotal chapter in American history. At the end of the tour, visitors are given the option to visit the Destination Freedom Special Exhibitions Gallery, featuring museum exhibits on the Underground Railroad and Civil War. From September-June, please call our office at (570) 586-8191, to book a tour.
Self-Guided Tour
60 or 90 MinuteVisitors may take the tour using the walking tour map as a guide. Do it at your own pace and on your own time! Simply pick up the maps from the Waverly Welcome Center Monday through Friday, 9am - 5pm or call ahead at 570-586-8191 to have some set aside for you. We expect you will want to follow up for either the audio or guided tour but this a great first look!
Self-Guided Audio Tour
60 MinutesVisitors can now do a guided Destination Freedom Walking Tour with our audio component! Take the tour at your own pace, along with the audio recording guiding you to each location.