From John Pratt
Decatur County Freedom Trail Association, Decatur County Community Foundation and the
Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library are proud to announce the first-ever Bill Smith
Underground Railroad Festival on Saturday, April 5, 2025. This event celebrates the life and
legacy of Bill Smith, a dedicated historian who transformed local folklore into documented
history through his extensive research on the Underground Railroad. Bill devoted countless
hours to advancing our understanding of the Decatur County Underground Railroad. This event
aims to share his knowledge with the community and celebrate the hidden history he
uncovered.
Event Highlights
The docent led tours will focus on the Kingston Corridor, a vital route in the Underground
Railroad, and its close relationship with the nearby free people of color community Snelling
Settlement, known for sheltering and assisting freedom seekers. Tours are scheduled at 9 and
- Tours will last approximately an hour, and will depart from the library. All events are free but
space is limited for the tours so be sure to register soon:
● Registration Information: Tours: The sign up link is below or you can call the
Greensburg Library at 812-663-2826:
● 9 AM Bus Tour -> https://bit.ly/UNDERGBT9
● 1 PM Bus Tour -> https://bit.ly/UNDERGBT1
● Guest Speakers @ Greensburg Library:
● 9:00 AM-Reverend David Crowley-”The Religious Roots of Antislavery in Indiana With
Special Attention to Decatur County”
● 10:00 AM-Joanna Hahn, Central Region Director at the Levi and Catharine Coffin State
Historic Site
● 1100 AM-Ann Hagedorn, Best-Selling Author and Former Wall Street Journal Reporter
will Present On Her book “Beyond the River: The Untold Story of the Heroes of the
Underground Railroad”
● Live music @ Greensburg Library:
● 1:00 PM-Carnegie Quartet-Enjoy the Highest Quality in String Music as the Ensemble
Presents Parlor Music From the Underground Railroad Era
● 2:30 PM-Hot Horns-This Five Piece Horn Band Brings Jazz, Dixieland and Blues
● 3:45 PM 35th Indiana Pipes and Drums-Civil War Music
● Special Exhibit @ Decatur County Historical Museum: The Underground Railroad in
Decatur County. Will also explore local connections to The John Rankin Home and
“Uncle Tom’s Cabin”..
