Underground Railroad Topic of April 6 Convocation
3/29/2011
Dr. Rice will explore the fact that slaves escaped to freedom in the north creating conflict along the borders of western Virginia. Blacks, both free and slave, frequently risked their lives to help others obtain freedom. The burning desire to escape slavery was like "a torch in their souls", according to one Virginia governor
Dr. Connie Park Rice is a lecturer in the West Virginia University history department. Her focus is on African American and Appalachian regional history. She is currently the assistant editor of "West Virginia History: A Journal of Regional Studies." She also serves as a member of the Governor's West Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission.
For additional information contact Dr. Billy Joe Peyton, Chair of the WVSU History Department, at peytonbj@wvstateu.edu.