CHESTERFIELD, N.Y. (WCAX) - A leg iron displayed at the North Star Underground Railroad Museum serves as a stark reminder of the North Country’s role in America’s freedom network that helped enslaved people escape to Canada.

“This is a physical reminder, yes, and I am sure when this person, whether it was a gentleman -- guessing so, because of the size of it -- got it off, felt like the weight of the world was off of him,” said Jacqueline Madison, president of the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association.

The leg iron is among the few physical objects documenting the Underground Railroad’s presence in the North Country, according to Madison. “It was a system of sharing information, knowing where to go and linking up with people that were part of that Abolitionist cause

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