More from Zak Rosen

Gloria's Glow (00:07:14)
From: Zak Rosen

How one woman is re-imagining the possibilities of living, working, and building a sustainable Detroit

Work in Progress (00:17:50)
From: Zak Rosen

How Detroiters are reimagining, redefining, and reconsidering what it means to work in the 21st century.

A New (Old) Kind of Work (00:07:21)
From: Zak Rosen

Rust belt cities like Detroit, Michigan are struggling. The tax base has been drying up for decades. Vacant homes litter once strong, middle-class neighborhoods. Young people ...

Detroit's Floating Post Office (00:02:52)
From: Zak Rosen

On the banks of the Detroit River, sits the J.W. Westcott. The ship is only 45 feet long. But believe it or not, it has its own zip code. Since 1874, the J.W. Westcott ...

Manufacturing Melodies (00:06:22)
From: Zak Rosen

A sound-rich profile of Frank Pahl, a Wyandotte, Michigan based musician and toy instrument builder.

A Virtual Dinner Party (00:06:02)
From: Zak Rosen

An exploration into why one of America's most respected art institutions decided to challenge visitors to re-think thei way they perceive art.

Fake City, Real Dreams (00:17:50)
From: Zak Rosen

A fake city comes to life to prove that dialogue and ideas can transform a region.

Getting Full For Free: Dumpster Diving in the D (00:05:06)
From: Zak Rosen

Detroiter Jean Wilson takes us to one of her favorite organic markets. Well, actually, to a dumpster behind the market .

There's Always Big Fun and Laughs at the Comic Con (00:06:37)
From: Zak Rosen

A comic-book version of the comic-book artist, Marty Hirchak takes the reader/listener on a tour of the "Comic Con" circuit.

Dumped Tires Land on Doorsteps (00:04:13)
From: Zak Rosen

Re-purposing dumped tires combats poverty, vacant lots, and environmental degredation

Related Pieces

Broadcast History

Studio 360, April 31

Intro and Outro

The Underground Railroad was an informal but vast network of people who helped slaves escape from their holders in the 1800's. It's estimated that during its height…between 1810 and 1860…The Underground Railroad helped over 30 thousand people escape enslavement.

The First Congregational Church of Detroit was known for being a safe house for escaped slaves to sleep and eat along their journey. Today the church…which has since moved to midtown Detroit…plays host to the Underground Railroad Living Museum.

Volunteer actors lead tours Monday through Saturday in the church's basement. The walking tours from slavery to Freedom last about 40 minutes…but they represent a grueling and profoundly dangerous yearlong journey from Oak Alley Louisiana to the Canadian border, northeast of Detroit, Michigan. The tours are lead by conductors…which are in the case of this re-enactment…escaped slaves as well.

Therese Peterson started volunteering as an actor in the Confrontational Church's tour in late 2005. She says that if she wasn't given the opportunity to play the part of the conductor…she might not be with us today. As part of our A-Ha moment series…Therese takes us through the tour…and tells us how being a conductor changed her forever.

Additional Credits