Albany's Underground Railroad Museum Program Threatened by Federal Funding Cuts

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The Underground Railroad Education Center in Albany is among the recent local venues dedicated to history and education that have been informed they will not be receiving funds from their federal Institute of Museum and Library Services grant.

The funding, amounting to $66,000 spread across two years, was intended for an after-school initiative aimed at young people in Albany during the Spring and Autumn seasons.

Paul Stewart from the Underground Railroad Education Center states, “It’s highly competitive, and simply obtaining a grant isn’t easy.” He adds, “We previously submitted an application for an IMLS grant several years back for a rather intense project; unfortunately, we didn’t secure it. Consequently, we’ve endeavored to collaborate with additional volunteers possessing various areas of expertise to help refine our grant proposals. Recently, we assembled a proposal centered around developing a museum studies program aimed at teenagers, which aligns well with our efforts to engage youth and guide them toward careers in museums.”

When they started assembling their application in early 2024, they enlisted Lacey Wilson to create a curriculum for them. Later, they found out they had been accepted in August 2024.

"I aim to create an environment where children who are passionate about subjects such as art, history, or science can thrive in a manner not always available in traditional educational settings. Despite the often rigid structure of learning spaces, my vision involves providing kids with chances to discover knowledge through experiences similar to those found in museums. This approach offers them avenues for personal development. The beauty of our program lies in its evolving design; ideally, every child involved might aspire towards careers in the museum sector—though even without pursuing that path specifically, participants will gain valuable competencies. These include honing their public speaking abilities, refining research techniques, and having hands-on experience displaying artwork. There’s immense potential here for young minds to expand beyond merely choosing future professions.”

Alongside Stewart, Wilson mentions that one of the key values of both the program and the museum lies in their thorough exploration of the Underground Railroad’s history and its impact on Albany and the broader Capital Region. According to Wilson, delving into these aspects will be central to the development of the program.

Take a glimpse into their hope—not just for the teenagers, but for the general public—to gain knowledge from this experience.

When they go through the tour, we’d inquire: ‘What do you think was the key message from your visit here? Was it Stephen’s and Harriet Myers’ activism efforts? Or perhaps their focus on journalism with Harriet contributing even without seeing her name published anywhere? Maybe it was how the teenage abolitionist named Institute designed a garden mimicking Abram Johnson's garden nearby, which reveals insights into both the household dynamics and plant choices?’ … They could essentially pick the narratives themselves. The significance of sharing these tales can’t be overstated; it offers viewers fresh perspectives on everything,” explains Wilson. "I genuinely recommend my acquaintances take part in these standard guided visits.

Stewart explains, “For example, with regard to the Underground Railroad, during my upbringing and even later as an adult studying this narrative more broadly, it was primarily focused on Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. The rest involved unnamed individuals escaping slavery, heading towards another anonymous location somewhere in Canada or elsewhere. However, the history is far more complex. Almost every city engaged in these efforts has identifiable figures contributing significantly—both in Northern cities and Southern ones too. Notably, several Northerners opposed to slavery were former Southerners themselves; this facet remains largely overlooked. For instance, right here in Albany, numerous resources abound. In William Still’s book detailing his experiences with the Underground Railroad, there are three reproduced letters from escapees who reached the Capital Region and thanked him for assistance. These missives include specific addresses within Albany, such as Grand Street or Madison Avenue, which pinpoint locations where ‘freedom seekers’ resided. This concept—that fugitives sought out homes and employment once free—is somewhat at odds with common perceptions of how the Underground Railroad operated. We usually envision desperate escapes without pause. Yet, settling down played a crucial role in the narratives of these individuals. As reported previously through various mediums, research indicates that the initial usage of the phrase 'Underground Railroad' referred specifically to events unfolding in Albany. Indeed, it appeared initially in an abolitionist paper issued from this same town.”

The IMLS grants have affected various locations such as the Underground Railroad within the Capital Region. Therefore, when House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik hosted an event at Fort Ticonderoga recently, CBS6 questioned her about whether she backed President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at reducing funding for the IMLS, with her standing inside the Fort Ticonderoga museum.

Congress is collaborating closely with the President to ensure responsible management of U.S. taxpayer money," Stefanik stated. "Reviewing my track record from the last ten years, we've provided substantial funding for institutions such as our museums, local library initiatives, and similar organizations. The President has shown strong commitment to America 250; his designated executive director visited [Fort Ticonderoga] earlier today. He cherishes American history, which makes me glad to organize [the event] at Fort Ticonderoga. Furthermore, during previous budget discussions, we maintained a legacy of allocating resources responsibly while safeguarding taxpayers' interests.

The federal government claims they are implementing reductions aimed at eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. According to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, these efforts have resulted in savings of $170 billion. However, from January to April 2025, the federal government expended $200 billion more than during the same period in 2024.

The Underground Railroad Education Center indicates that they have contested these budget reductions, which have similarly faced legal challenges nationwide. Stewart mentions that they have been contacting officials at both county and higher levels to seek financial support.