Abolitionist Trail Runs Through Gather Place Museum

YARDLEY BOROUGH, PA — Shirley Corsey, the executive director of The Gather Place Museum, enjoys being on the map regarding America's 250th anniversary celebration this year.

Corsey has worked to plan numerous events promoting Black history for the upcoming Fourth of July festivities.

She has one event that will last until the end of August called "Bucks County's Pathways to Freedom" in which visitors can walk the Abolitionist Trail.

The program runs through Aug. 29 from Noon to 3 p.m. weekly on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at the museum on 188 South Canal Street.

Corsey said the initiative is an immersive, place-based experience that highlights the people, places, and events that shaped the region’s vital role in the Underground Railroad.

Visitors can "walk history, talk history" and become part of America’s full story by exploring powerful narratives of courage, conviction, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality.

The Bucks250PA Revolutionary Trail initiative was developed by the Bucks250PA Legacy Committee—including Teresa Androutsos, Jennifer Martin, and Corsey—in partnership with the Bucks County Planning Commission.

The trail system features GPS-enabled digital guides and downloadable maps that connect users to historic sites throughout Bucks County.

As a designated Bucks County Abolitionist Trail Hub, Gather Place offers a unique opportunity to experience the legacy of the historic African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Yardley—a site deeply rooted in the region’s Underground Railroad history and its enduring African American and Quaker heritage.

“Gather Place is honored to help bring these stories to life,” Corsey said. "This initiative ensures that the full, inclusive story of our nation is shared and preserved for generations to come.”