Descendant to Share Story of Addison White’s Flight to Freedom in Mechanicsburg Free Program July 27 at Historical Society

The often-shared story of Addison White, who escaped enslavement in Kentucky and found refuge and freedom in Mechanicsburg, despite the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, will be told from a new perspective at 2 p.m. July 27 at the Champaign County Historical Society Museum.

John Booth, White’s great-great grandson, will share his famous ancestor’s story, passed down through the generations, and through his original poetry. Booth’s presentation is free and open to the public. In June, Booth, a blues musician, performed at the CCHS Picnic and Concert on the Lawn.

Booth now lives in Yellow Springs, but grew up in Mechanicsburg, where, a century earlier, Addison White made history. After White escaped slavery in Kentucky, federal marshals caught up with him in Mechanicsburg, where abolitionist Udney Hyde, a conductor on the Underground Railroad, sheltered and employed him.

Mechanicsburg citizens revolted against the marshals. White was ultimately freed when Mechanicsburg residents agreed to purchase his freedom.

About the Champaign County Historical Society
The museum collects, preserves, and interprets artifacts, documents, and other resources from Champaign County to educate current and future generations about our history.

The museum has been located at 809 East Lawn Ave., Urbana, since 1972. It recently reopened after being closed for a capital improvement project. Originally established in 1934, the CCHS Museum first housed its collection at the former location of the Champaign County Library on West Market Street, and then moved to the Nutwood Barn, south of Grimes Field on North Main Street.

The Historical Society is open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.