THE ROAD TO FREEDOM CELEBRATED

Manhattan’s lone underground railroad
site is honored in Chelsea

Amid the aura of Martin Luther King’s birthday, the Friends of Gibbons House Underground Railroad, preservationalists and elected officials observed the long overdue unveiling of a street plaque, officially landmarking Chelsea’s “Lamartine Place.” The row of houses, located on 29th street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, has deep rooted history in aiding slaves fleeing a long road north. It is also the backlash site of where the homes of Quaker abolitionists James Sloan Gibbons and Abby Hopper were stormed, and blood spilled, during the Civil War draft riots of 1863.

During the 1840’s and 50’s, the address of 339 West 29th Street must have been a blessing to the slaves who knocked on it’s door, and who were warmly let in, sheltered with comfort, fed, fortified, energized, and then guided to their next stop, as they treked to freedom in Canada. It is the only such documented underground railroad site in Manhattan.

Sharing respect at the January 14th ceremony included CRDC’s own New York Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, and State Senator Tom Duane and CRDC Executive Committee member Andrew Berman, Exec. Director of Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.

"For years, the community worked to designate this area as an historic district," said Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried. "Thanks to the Landmarks Foundation, the plaque we're unveiling today will remind all those who pass this way of this period's importance in America's fight for human rights.

State Senator Thomas K. Duane said, "I am delighted that we are celebrating this permanent marker of the Lamartine Place Historic District. An important chapter in our city and nation's history unfolded here. The placement of this sign commemorates this architecturally significant block's roots in the abolitionist movement and the safe passage of fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad. It is further a testament to Fern Luskin and Julie Finch's relentless advocacy and to the Chelsea community's deep history of social and political activism and progressivism."

Andrew Berman added "It's heartening to see the efforts of so many dedicated advocates come to fruition with this incredibly rare and important historic site being recognized. Now we must ensure that illegal alterations to the Hopper Gibbons House are removed and the integrity of this wonderful underground railroad site are restored.

Also speaking was Friends of Gibbins Underground Railroad’s co-chair Fern Luskin, who summarized it well, “It is time to honor these outspoken and courageous anti-slavery activists.”

—Donathan Salkaln