Free At Last: Joshua's Journey LbNA #11598 (ARCHIVED)

Prior to beginning this Letter Box, please contact the Racine Heritage Museum at 262.636.3926 to verify the Museum's hours of operation. This letter box is only accessible if the Museum is open since your journey will begin at the Museum (on the corner of 7th and Main). We recommend parking nearby. The Museum is located in Racine, Wisconsin at 701 Main St.

Free At Last: Joshua’s Journey

Begin at the corner on your feet
It's time to follow 7th Street
Two blocks to the west is a tall, white church
This will be an easy search
Look around you'll be amazed
Lift your chin your eyes to raise

Wow! Look at that steeple!
This is the church where they hid all the people
The directions were all given in code
For these travelers on the Underground Railroad
But even slaves who thought they were free
Could be turned in for a finders fee

Here in Racine, folks felt differently
They wanted to see all the slaves set free
Their journey one night began at Monument Square
One block north and two east will get you there
There's a plaque on a stone that will tell you more
Of how Racine fought for slaves before the Civil War

At the south end of the square a slave's story is told
To remind us of how Racine's people were bold
When they gathered there in 1854
100 people, maybe even more
Who headed north to Milwaukee
To do their part to set Joshua Glover free

Let’s follow their path down Main Street
North to the river is the place we seek
Take some time to look left and right
The stores and museums are quite a sight
Cross East before State Street and walk with the light
Once at the bridge follow the rail ‘round to the right

To the east of the bridge a circle will be
This is the place to look and see
From the river to the harbor to board a boat
There was no need to take a vote
Bound for Milwaukee to set him free
They all got there successfully

With a battering ram they charged the door
Then Joshua Glover was free once more
Back to Racine they returned that night
Freeing Joshua had been a victorious fight
They kept him safe all through the night
Til he could finish the last leg of freedom’s flight

Now turn to the east to the harbor you’ll go
Just like the crowd to fight freedom’s foes
You’ll follow the sidewalk by the lakes shore
While overhead the seagulls will soar
Further down the walkway their used to be a pier
Where runaway slaves went to flee from fear

Please keep on walking and following the rail
This was the place from which boats would sail
Carrying runaway slaves hid among cargo
Off towards Canada the boats would go
Now instead of a pier the place you’ll see
Is a restaurant called the Chancery

If your feet are tired and you’d like a treat
The Chancery has good things to eat
Once you’re done get back on the trail
Like before you’ll be following the rail
Just walk south, then west, then south again
Don’t worry you’re getting close to the end

Once you reach Chris Columbus Causeway
Your direction may change depending on the day
Pay close attention to the following directions
It might get confusing within this section
But like others who’ve searched for a letter box
Changing directions won’t be a shock

If you turn to the left and keep following the shore
There’s a gate going south that may be a door
It will let you keep walking w/out turning back
Just keep going south, you’re on the right track
Past Festival Hall a fountain you’ll see
Look to your right and there it will be

BUT if the gate is locked go to the west
Follow this track it’s part of your quest
When you get to Lake Avenue it’s south you’ll go
Then fifth street east, but you better go slow
For you’ll be turning by Festival Hall
South again ‘til you see the water fall (fountain)

This is a place to rest your feet
Which by now should be a real treat
Sit on the bench that faces south
Remember when stories were told by mouth
Stories that are not found in books
Walk that way and take a look

Outside the library you’ll find some stairs
Follow them to the west, you’re almost there
Keep on climbing until you reach the street
Just a few more verses we know you’re beat
One block west is where your journey began
Unlike the slaves your beginning was near the end

Once you return find the museum’s door
It’s time to go in and learn some more.
In the museum there’s a lot to see
Take some time to learn about Racine’s history
Eventually you’ll need to climb the stairs
To the second floor and you’re almost there

After you find the slavery exhibit
This will be your final ticket
While you may find some clues in Ozella’s quilt code
In the end you’ll need to remember this ode
It’s Joshua Glover’s cell you seek
Go ahead and take a peek

On the floor in the cell will be a box
You won’t have to pick the lock
Our stamp is inside along with a book
Record your name so we can look
We think it’s great you took time to decode
Our rhyme of Racine’s part in the Underground Railroad