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‘Walk the Path to Freedom’: Gather Place Launches Abolitionist Trail Anchor for America’s 250th Anniversary

Abolitionist Trail Anchor graphic for Gather Place. — The Abolitionist Trail Anchor is an immersive, place-based experience that highlights the region’s vital role in the Underground Railroad.

Gather Place has announced the launch of its Abolitionist Trail Anchor in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, as part of the Bucks250PA Revolutionary Trail initiative.

This exciting new initiative introduces visitors to The Bucks County Abolitionist Trail Anchor—Bucks County’s Pathways to Freedom—an immersive, place-based experience that highlights the people, places, and events that shaped the region’s vital role in the Underground Railroad.

Through this free public resource, visitors of all ages are invited to walk history, talk history, and become part of America’s full story by exploring powerful narratives of courage, conviction, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality.

Revolutionary War Trail. Image via Bucks250PA.

The Bucks250PA Revolutionary Trail initiative was developed by the Bucks250PA Legacy Committee—including Teresa Androutsos, Jennifer Martin, and Shirley Lee Corsey—in partnership with the Bucks County Herald and the Bucks County Planning Commission, the trail system features GPS-enabled digital guides and downloadable maps that connect users to historic sites throughout Bucks County.

Gather Place executive director Shirley Lee Corsey. Image via Gather Place.

The GPS versions of the Revolutionary, Heritage, Abolitionist and Lenape Trails can be found at the Bucks County Planning Commission webpage here. These trails connect visitors to historic sites across the county, with access to the printed map and interactive digital experience that makes exploring local history easier than ever.

As a designated Bucks County Abolitionist Trail Anchor, Gather Place offers a unique opportunity to experience the legacy of the historic African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Yardley—a site deeply rooted in the region’s Underground Railroad history and its enduring African American and Quaker heritage.

“Gather Place is honored to help bring these stories to life,” said Shirley Lee Corsey, curator of the historic AME Church of Yardley and Bucks250PA Legacy Committee member. “This initiative ensures that the full, inclusive story of our nation is shared and preserved for generations to come.”

Visitors are encouraged to download trail maps, explore the interactive experience, and visit participating sites throughout Bucks County.

To learn more about the Abolitionist Trail Anchor and to be part of America’s full story, visit https://gatherplacemuseum.org/abolitionist-trail-hub.