Located on the Niagara River, Broderick Park is recognized as “Sacred Grounds”, a terminus/crossing point of the Underground Railroad into Canada and is designated an Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site by the National Parks Service.
The land that the park now occupies once housed docks (pictured right) for the Black Rock Ferry, where those escaping slavery were transported from the U.S. to Canada as part of the final part of their voyage on the Underground Railroad. Many of the ancestors lost their lives trying to cross the Niagara River but others survived the journey, gaining freedom. For many in Western New York, Broderick Park is sacred ground because of it’s role in people escaping being enslaved.
In the early 2000’s, the Buffalo Quarters Historical Society staged reenactments of the trip from Broderick Park to Fort Erie in Canada. While these no longer occur, the need for understanding and remembrance is vital. On the grounds of the park is the first iteration of the Underground Railroad Museum, which opened in 2017, and crossing into the park a mural “The Road to Freedom” (2022, Gino Morrow II artist) depicting Harriet Tubman leading people to freedom can be seen.
The museum, murals, and other plaques found in the park are just the first steps in a process in fully developing a complete history showing in detail, the horrors of slavery and the role the
park played as a path to freedom. It serves a tribute for all who endured and sacrificed to get the freedom that should have been a birthright. It is a history of those who made the dangerous river crossing and remembering those who lost their life attempting to cross. Our current museum is a start to telling that story. In time, a more complete experience will be available, hopefully housed on Niagara and Breckenridge Streets.
The museum, murals, and other plaques found in the park are just the first steps in a process in fully developing a complete history showing in detail, the horrors of slavery and the role the park played as a path to freedom. It serves a tribute for all who endured and sacrificed to get the freedom that should have been a birthright. It is a history of those who made the dangerous river crossing and remembering those who lost their life attempting to cross.
“Sacred Ground” is not just a saying, but a truth about Broderick Park. Visit the museum when you come to the park and you will learn that truth