The West Branch Public Library has received funding from Humanities Iowa, a private, non-profit state affiliate of the National Endowment
for the Humanities, to host a presentation called The Underground Railroad in Iowa by Galin Berrier at 7pm on Thursday, September 23rd
in the library's community room.  A cultural resource for Iowans since 1971, Humanities Iowa offers many cultural and historical  programs
and grants to Iowa's Communities.

The Underground Railroad in Iowa delves into a sometimes controversial but always fascinating episode in Iowa's history.  Did it really exist
in Iowa, and if so, when and how? Was it highly organized or did its "conductors" and "station agents" mostly improvise? What part did
African Americans themselves play in helping fugitive slaves find their way to freedom? How many fugitives are likely to have passed
through Iowa and how do we know if reputed "safe houses" actually existed in our own communities?

The program is free and open to the public.  If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance, please call (319)643-2633 in advance.