Moses Pettengill - Peoria's Freedom Conductor

Peoria's Underground Railroad is explored in upcoming presentation.

The abolitionist movement and Underground Railroad in Peoria are the topics of two presentations at Pettengill-Morron House Museum, 1212 W. Moss Ave.,

on Feb. 11.

Corey Curtis of Peoria, a historian and history teacher, will discuss "Moses Pettengill: Peoria's Freedom Conductor” at 1 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. There are two presentations, and each will last about an hour. 

Curtis will discuss Peoria businessman and civic leader Moses Pettengill's efforts in spearheading the local Underground Railroad operation. "New information about the operations of the Peoria Anti-Slavery Society will be revealed,” Curtis noted, “as will newly discovered information on the extent of Black abolitionists’ participation in the anti-slavery movement.”

Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for college and high school students and $3 for children ages 6-12. Tickets are available at 309tix.com or by calling the Peoria Historical Society at 309-674-1921.

Admission will include a guided tour of the mansion that Moses Pettengill built in 1868 and that later was owned by Jean Morron before being given to the Peoria Historical Society.