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Travel Indiana’s Road to Freedom & Dine With President LincolnBy Leroy Worley
During the tour our guide mentioned a girl named “Eliza,” whom Levi and Catherine helped. My wife and I thought the name sounded familiar, and then our guide mentioned Eliza’s story is told in the book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. She led us out back to view the secret compartment in the back of a wagon where slaves hid. The sacrifices the Coffin’s made helped more than 2,000 slaves reach safety during the 20 years they lived in Newport. They continued their efforts after moving in 1847 to Cincinnati where Levi operated a wholesale warehouse which supplied goods to free labor stores.
In October at Huddleston Farmhouse Lincoln’s funeral train makes a ghostly return visit on the nearby railroad tracks. Ghoulish characters lead guests by lantern on guided tours of the buildings, grounds, and woods. The Huddleston House comes to life during Christmas on the Farm. When re-enactors spin traditional tales and observe holiday customs held at the 1841 inn. The guided tours, special historical exhibits, and workshops for adults and children explore the history of the Huddleston Farmhouse. During our visit we meet Jim Orr, Director of Huddleston Farmhouse Inn Museum, who with the help of extraordinary volunteers has made our trip through time a memorable one. For information on the hearty Hearth Dinners and other activities available at the Huddleston Farmhouse Museum call 765-478-3172. The Huddleston Farmhouse is located at 838 National Road West in Cambridge City, Indiana The Levi Coffin is located home 113 U.S. 27 North in Fountain City, Indiana. Tours are held June 1 - Aug. 31 on Tuesday – Saturday between 1p.m. - 4p.m. In the fall tours are held on Saturday only from Sept. 1 - Oct. 31 between 1p.m. - 4p.m. Group Tours can be arranged by Appointment. For further information leave a voice message at The Levi Coffin Museum Office at (765) 847 -2432. Stroll through the Cope Environmental Center, located at 4910 Shoemaker Road in Centerville. For more details on visiting the Center call 765-855-3188. The Old National Road Welcome Center at 5701 National Road East in Richmond, Indiana is a great place to find information on the area. Among the many historic and natural sites not to be missed in the area are Millionaires Row, the Charles House in Glen Miller Park, and the Madonna of Trail. Call the Welcome Center for more details at 1 800-828-8414 or 765-935-8687 or visit them online at http://www.visitrichmond.org. Find more sites to visit for heritage travel and museums at http://www.travellady.com/Special/heritagetravel.htm or http://www.travellady.com/Special/museums.htm. |
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The Historic National Road (40), in Indiana was little
more than cow pastures weary families traveled in hundreds of wagons. While
these families made the treacherous trek in hopes of finding a better future
in the West during the Gold Rush another set of travelers headed north on
Highway 27. Exhausted slaves sought refuge in Newport, Indiana at the home
of Levi and Catharine Coffin located at 113 U.S. 27 North in Fountain City,
Indiana. 
Built in 1839, the eight-room, Federal style brick home
is a National Historic Landmark that remains standing in what is now
Fountain City. The North Carolina Quakers, Levi and Catharine Coffin, risked
their lives to assist the former slaves. Remnants of historical documents,
furniture, and household goods gave my wife, Mel, and I a glimpse into the
Coffin’s simple life. In the damp, cool basement we found a working well,
still filled with fresh water the Coffin’s used. Upstairs, hidden behind the
beds we discovered a hidden cubby hole stretching into the darkness along
the back of the house. Unable to move, and barely able to breath, the
runaway slaves hid in the cramped quarters for however long it took when the
slave hunters came to call on the Coffin’s. 
Traveling along Indiana’s National Historic Road we
spotted many marvelous 19th Century homes along "Millionaires Row". The
beautifully decorated homes and brick houses built before 1880 are nestled
along the National Historic Road. Glen Miller Park located at 2200 East Main
Street in the Historic District of Richmond, Indiana was our next stop. Here
we found the Charles House in Glen Miller Park, once owned by “Righteous
Sammy Charles,” who also assisted slaves on the road to freedom. 
It only took a moment while I admired the structure
before I realized my wife had wandered off. When I noticed the E.G. Hill
Memorial Rose Garden across the way I knew where to find her. We visited the
Cope Environmental Center located at 4910 Shoemaker Road in Centerville
earlier to hike along the trails open from dusk to dawn and explore the
butterfly gardens. The 102 acre Cope Environmental Center promotes awareness
of alternative energy, organic gardening, and recycling. Demonstrations and
Summer Adventure Programs are held annually. More information on activities
scheduled call 765-855-3188.
As I thought I found her walking the historic brink
path to the gazebo in the All-American Rose Garden filled with over 100
roses. Next she slipped over to the Friendship Garden in the center
featuring a selection of German Roses. I followed her just a short walk from
the gardens to view a monument recognizing the early pioneer’s passage from
coast to coast. The Madonna of Trail, dedicated by the Daughters of the
American Revolution on the 28th of October 1928 is one of only 12 statues
marking the journey. The natural setting and trails throughout Glen Miller
Park would have kept her attention for hours if I had not reminded her of
our dinner plans with President Lincoln at the Huddleston Farmhouse in
Cambridge City.
We arrived at the end of the War Between the States
during a Civil War Living History Encampment. The smoke lifted as the
skirmish ceased between the Union and Confederate infantry, artillery, and
cavalry units. Guests joined the soldiers when the battle was over to share
a campfire-cooked meal of beef stew, cornbread, and cobbler. Musket and
cannon demonstrations are held during the encampment. 
Our new friends, local historians, Jim & Sandra Resh
joined us on a tour of the completely restored three-story house owned by
John and Susannah Huddleston. The authentic furnishings and the volunteers
help create a true feeling of being back on the farm in the old days. The
78-acre farm includes a barn, smokehouse and springhouse. John and Susannah
had plenty of help around the farm with 11 children. Many travelers stopped
at the Inn for rest and supplies during their trek along the National
Historic Road. 
After our tour we took our seats in the candle-lit
dining room near President Lincoln in the Huddleston Farmhouse’s for the
popular Harvest Supper. The savory aroma of fresh and hearty recipes from
the nineteenth century drifted in from the kitchen where women cooked over
open flame. We listened with interests while Lincoln spoke of his travels
and career as a Lawyer while we savored the great dinner they prepared for
us. He shared laughter and tales until he departed to join his men before
giving a speech in the barn.