Helping rebuild a Underground rail road room

[Gare]

My friends own a large mansion type home. It was built around 1820 or so. In it there was a room that was hidden. It was said to house run away slaves. We want to restore it and put in the same type furnishings that might have been in it. Does anyone have any ideas or tips what we could put back in it ? maybe some pictures of types of furnishings back then even ?

 

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[Gene Mean]

Something like this but this is pretty nice quarters

 

[ToddsPoint]

Those houses were called “stations” on the “Underground Railroad”. The Underground Railroad started around 1780s with early abolitionists. It really got going in 1820. It ended pretty much after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. I’d think that room would have bare bones accommodations. The people staying there would only be there a short time.

 

[ToddsPoint]

One of the routes of the Underground Railroad led through N KY to the OH River. On the OH side, on the bluff, was a house that was a station. They kept a light burning for slaves to see as they made the dangerous river crossing. They had to go upstream and cross, and hopefully with the current they would make it across below the house with the light. Many perished making the crossing.

 

[Gare]

From what i can find out and see a lot of these hidden rooms had a large metal pot with a lid on them. I think this was like a toilet for them . if this makes sense