by Alex Nuti-de Biasi, for the Journal-Opinion

The Vermont African American Heritage Trail was created by the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing. Explore museums, cultural sites, exhibits, films, and tours that illuminate African American history in Vermont.

The following are four of 17 locations on the trail:

Rokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh: Described as “unrivaled” by the National Park Service, Rokeby Museum is a national historic landmark and preeminent Underground Railroad site. “Free and Safe: The Underground Railroad in Vermont” exhibit introduces visitors to Simon and Jesse, two historically documented fugitives from slavery who were sheltered  at Rokeby in the 1830s. The exhibit traces their stories from slavery to freedom. It introduces the abolitionist couple, Rowland and Rachel Robinson who called Rokeby home and for nearly 200 years, the Robinson families lived at Rokeby. The Rokeby Museum retains eight historic farm buildings filled with agricultural artifacts along  with old wells, stonewalls, and fields. The  family home is full of history in every room. 4334 U.S. Route 7, 802-877-3406, www.rokeby.org. Open mid-May to mid-October.

Great Convention Historic Marker, Ferrisburgh: Frederick Douglass delivered a fiery abolitionist speech in Ferrisburgh in July 1843 at the Wesleyan Chapel. Born in slavery in Maryland, Douglass freed himself by escaping to the North, where he became a tireless crusader for African American freedom and equality. He was among the greatest orators and black leaders of the 19th century. The Ferrisburgh meeting, organized by local activist Rowland Robinson, was one of the “100 Conventions” sponsored by the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1843. U.S. Route 7.

Vermont Folklife Center, Middlebury: Daisy Turner, born in June 1883 to ex-enslaved people Alexander and Sally Turner in Grafton, Vermont, embodied living history during her 104 years as a Vermonter. Her riveting style of storytelling, reminiscent of West African griots, wove the history of her family from slavery until her death in 1988 as Vermont’s oldest citizen. The Vermont Folklife Center recorded over 60 hours of interviews with Daisy. A selection of these audio records, plus photographs and video relating to Daisy and the Turner family are part of an interactive listening exhibit for visitors to the center. The full collection of Turner materials in the Folklife Center Archive is available to qualified researchers by appointment only. 88 Main Street, Middlebury, 802-388-4964, www.vermontfolklifecenter.org. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Middlebury College’s Alexander Twilight Hall, Middlebury: Middlebury College is home to a number of first academic achievements for African Americans. Just four years after its founding in 1800, Middlebury College awarded an honorary master’s degree to the Rev. Lemuel Haynes, an African American who would later serve as a minister in Rutland for 30 years. In 1823, the Rev. Alexander Twilight, later to become the first African American elected as a state legislator, was the first black person to earn a degree from an American college or university. Mary Annette Anderson graduated from Middlebury College in 1899 as the valedictorian, and was the first African American woman inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. In 1986, Middlebury College renamed one of its buildings to honor Alexander Twilight, educator, minister, and politician. Alexander Twilight Hall, on Middlebury College campus, 50 Franklin St., Middlebury. 802-443-5000, www.middlebury.edu.