TOPEKA (KSNT) – Topeka’s Constitution Hall is opening its doors for the first time in decades.
Constitution Hall was the site of many key events in early Kansas history. The building was a hub for free state activists and was part of the underground railroad. John Brown infamously led freed slaves from here, on a journey that would eventually result to his infamous raid on Harpers Ferry.
“The Lane Trail to Freedom really started out as a supply way,” said Grant Glenn, President of the board that operates Constitution Hall. “A little later they used the Lane Trail as an underground railroad, and the most famous passage of those was when John Brown left the state with a number of slaves.”
Now after decades of work, the building has been brought back to life. A $3 million state grant along with other donation helped fund the renovations.
“It has taken over 25 years to get the building restored… There have been a lot of donations and hard work but we’re very fortunate. Without that grant, I didn’t think I’d live long enough to see this,” Glenn said.
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While the doors are open, the work isn’t finished yet. Right now, visitors will see photos depicting the underground railroad, but more is on the way.
“We’re not done yet though, the exciting part is we’re in the process of having exhibits designed that will occupy all these rooms,” Glenn said. “What you see here are temporary photographs of the underground railroad, but the exhibits will tell the story of bleeding Kansas and the important part that the free states played in making Kansas a free state.”
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