ALTOONA, Pa. — Harriett Gaston, academic adviser at Penn State Altoona and director of the Blair County African American Heritage Project, will offer the lecture “Freedom Routes: Blair County’s Underground Railroad History” on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 3:30 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of the Slep Student Center.

September is International Underground Railroad Month in Pennsylvania. Designated as such by the House of Representatives in July of this year, its purpose is to highlight and honor the stories of those who actively sought freedom from slavery.

The event is free and open to the public.