Got plans this weekend? Visit Talleyrand Park, learn about the Underground Railroad in Bellefonte
With so much to do in downtown Bellefonte, there’s no need to take a long drive or make a hotel reservation in order to celebrate the Juneteenth and Father’s Day holidays with your family and friends on Sunday.
Begin your day with a picnic at Talleyrand Park or lunch at one of the many locally owned restaurants in downtown Bellefonte. Stroll through the park and look for signs of the town and region’s history, including a cast of the bust of a Lincoln statue by George Grey Bernard and the Bellefonte Governor’s Memorial. Look for the colorful plants and flowers growing in the edible landscape garden and pollinator garden in the park annex near Big Spring Spirits. Cross Spring Creek via a recently completed foot bridge along the back of the park and promenade through the gardens on the other side.
After lunch, meet at the Centred Outdoors welcome table between 1 and 4 p.m. for details on a self-guided walking tour about Underground Railroad history in Bellefonte. The tour highlights six areas within walking distance of the park where key leaders made significant contributions to assist African Americans seeking freedom from slavery. The tour was created and recently made available online by a group from Leadership Centre County’s Class of 2022 in collaboration with Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, Centre County Library & Historical Museum, and Local Historia Walking Tours.
One very notable stop on the tour includes a permanent exhibit at the Bellefonte Art Museum, “Underground Railroad: A Journey to Freedom.” According to the museum’s website, “The ‘railroad’ was active in the 19th century and Bellefonte’s location was strategic to helping people who were attempting journeys to the Northeast, the Midwest and to Canada.” The museum itself is located at the Linn House, a home that is believed to have been occupied by owners who provided shelter to people escaping slavery in the 1840s and 1850s. The museum is open from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, so be sure to allow ample time to view the exhibit as well as the multiple galleries featuring local artwork throughout the museum.
Also between 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, a croquet demonstration will take place in the annex area of the park with the Talleyrand Croquet Group. Croquet enthusiasts and anyone curious about trying the sport in a casual and fun atmosphere can stop by to play and learn more about the history and rules of the game. All equipment will be provided and all ages are welcome.
After exploring the Underground Railroad self-guided tour throughout town and trying croquet at the park, wrap up your day with a final stroll through Talleyrand or a visit to one of several eateries within walking distance of the park, including Big Spring Spirits, The Republic and Creekside Restaurant at the Gamble Mill, and Bonfatto’s Italian Market and Corner Café.
Centred Outdoors will also be at Talleyrand Park and the surrounding area on Wednesday to offer more opportunities to learn about and explore the area. At 6 p.m. Local Historia will lead a free guided tour of Bellefonte’s waterfront area. From the Big Spring to the Gamble Mill, the tour will include discussion of industries like the Match Factory, railroads, former structures, the development of Talleyrand Park as well as other stories about Bellefonte and its people. To join the tour, meet at the Centred Outdoors welcome table at Talleyrand Park a few minutes before 6 p.m.
Centred Outdoors is a program of ClearWater Conservancy, and all events are free and open to the public. Visit www.centredoutdoors.org to view full event details, safety tips including tick bite prevention, and the entire Season 6 schedule.
Planning to visit this destination?
Address to use for your GPS: 320 W. High St., Bellefonte, PA 16823
What to bring:
A filled water bottle
Sun protection, including sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen
Comfortable shoes
Charged cellphone for taking photos and accessing directions and hours for local restaurants, shops, museums, etc.
Restrooms and picnic tables are available at Talleyrand Park