ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. -- In commemoration of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary, the St. Lawrence County History Association hosted two presentations Thursday about the Underground Railroad in the North Country and the story of Harriet Tubman.

Dr. Milton Sernett, a retired professor from Syracuse University, gave the free lectures.
Historians say slaves would follow the North Star and when they got to the North Country, abolitionists would hide them and help them flee to Canada. Many abolitionists felt they were fulfilling a moral obligation to help the slaves to freedom. But Sernett says many things people have heard about the Underground Railroad aren't completely true.

"For young people especially, they're fascinated by secret passages and things like this, but the real challenge is to do the research in the documents, in the old newspapers and the stories and so on," Sernett said.

Sernett says he hopes his presentations will encourage people to support their local historical society.