The Journey to Freedom on the Underground Railroad

About the Book

The Underground Railroad began In the middle part of the 1800's and was an Intricate network of routes, trails, safe-houses and hideouts along which volunteer "conductors" helped slaves to escape the plantation, and become free. It often invloved dangerous travel over land, mountains, lakes, and rivers. The Underground Railroad used a complex system of communication between the slaves, Masons, Abolitionists, ship captains, ministers, writers, blacksmiths, and free African-Americans. This form of communication is now known as The Underground Railroad Quilt Pattern Code.

About the Author

Louise Chessi McKinney was born in Waterbury, Connecticut and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Connecticut, and a Master of Science Degree in Art History from Central Connecticut State University. Her Graduate Thesis was on the subject of Jacob Lawrence and the Migration Series. She also holds certificates in Interior Decorating and Retail merchandising. The beauty of the Southern landscape, especially North Carolina, and the rugged, colorful New England atmosphere has found its expression in her paintings and children’s book illustrations. She is the author and illustrator of The Journey to Freedom on the Underground Railroad and Flying Into History: The Tuskegee Airmen Story. She is a supporter of Americans for the Arts, as well as, Artists Helping the Homeless. She is a member and supporter of the Mattatuck Museum (Waterbury, CT), the Wadsworth Atheneum (Hartford, CT), and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center (Ledyard, CT). Her work has been displayed at The Southington Public Library, New Opportunities for Waterbury, and the Red Piano Too Folk Art Gallery in South Carolina. Her influences include artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Jacob Lawrence, Picasso, Jonathan Green and Wayne Thiebaud.