The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved people, with the aid of abolitionists to escape to free states and Canada prior to the passing of the 13th amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States in 1865. 

In this episode, our guest is architect and historian, Frank Gerard Godlewski. Frank, whose career as an architect brought him to Italy, where he lived and worked for more than twenty years, always maintained a deep interest in the history of his hometown of Montclair, New Jersey and more specifically, black history and the story of the Underground Railroad in that area.

This interest was sparked in him early in life through a dear friend of the family, Dr. Evelyn Darrell, who was a clinical psychologist, scholar and black historian who mentored Frank and inspired his passion for black history.

Frank, who now lives back in northern New Jersey, will tell us about his quest to discover, share and document the complicated and little known stories about New Jersey’s history with slavery and its’ Underground Railroad.

Photo: Courtesy of Bud Endress

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man