Self-Guided Tour to the Underground Railroad Tree
We are glad to welcome guests to the Guilford College Woods for a Self-Guided Tour to the Underground Railroad Tree. We ask that you respect the land and trail as this history and our woods are considered a sacred space in our community. We will reach out to you if you have questions shared on the form, otherwise you will not hear from us, but can find helpful information on this form below. A copy of this information and your responses will be sent back to you.

Safety: Safety is a priority for anyone coming to campus for a tour. The trail is .3 miles each way from the trailhead to the tree. It includes uneven surfaces with an accessible viewing platform at the end of the trail in front of the tulip poplar tree known as the Underground Railroad Tree. It is important to note that weather conditions may be unpredictable and we may not be able to keep track of how the trail was affected—you may encounter a fallen tree, branch, muddy paths, or harsh winds—please plan your visit accordingly, and notify us if you encounter a trail blockage we can address.

Navigation: The Underground Railroad Trail begins at trailhead on Nathan Hunt Rd. beyond the Guilford Lake on the left (see woods map). There is very limited parking (and no parking allowed along road) marked with wooden posts at the trailhead, so we encourage folks to use drop offs, or to utilize Visitor Parking spaces for multiple cars and buses (see campus map).

When to Visit: It is best to visit during daylight hours. Please "leave no trace" and note that there are current residences in the woods- there are no restrooms or trashcans currently available on the trail.

About: The trail was created in 2017 as a way to tell the story of how freedom seekers navigated this land, in collaboration with free and enslaved African-Americans and European-American abolitionists and allies. The trail leads to a champion tulip poplar tree, over 300 years old, known as the Underground Railroad TreeWe cannot know if this tree served as a guide to assist enslaved Africans seeking freedom, but know it was present at that time and place. We talk about the tree as a silent witness; we encourage visitors to pause on viewing platform and reflect on its symbolism, and how one might be moved to create justice and spaces of refuge in our lives and communities.

How to Prepare: We encourage folks who would like to take a self-guided tour to print out The History and the Stories pages, or to pull them up on mobile to read while visiting the woods or before your visit. You can also explore the Underground Railroad Curriculum pages for more information, videos, resources, timelines, and material that will aid your personal exploration.
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