Program

State Historical Society of Iowa

Subject

Event, People

Location

502 South 4th Street, Winterset, IA, USA

Lat/Long

41.3309493, -94.0097562

Grant Recipient

State Historical Society of Iowa

Freedom seekers crossed Madison County from 1856 to 1862 in their flight from slavery. One of those, Charles Moore, returned to live in Winterset for 50 years and is buried here. Over 60 Madison County men and women assisted with UGRR activities and at least 20 of those are also buried in the Winterset Cemetery. Historic accounts show specific local incidents of this conflicted time in U. S. history, including shelter offered on local farms and escape provided by horseback or wagons packed with corn. The courage and determination shown by both freedom seekers and Madison County settlers was echoed in southwest Iowa and across the southern half of our state during the UGRR period.

This marker is dedicated to every UGRR participant in Iowa and their commitment to freedom for all.

Erected in 2022 in commemoration of Iowa’s 175th anniversary of statehood by the Madison County Historic Preservation Commission and the State Historical Society of Iowa with funding from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.