All aboard!

That’s the situation concerning the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum now that the Washington City Council approved an agreement that allows the Washington Harbor District Alliance to lease the caboose next to the Washington Civic Center and use city land surrounding the caboose. The council approved the agreement during its meeting Monday. The museum will operate under the auspices of the Washington Harbor District Alliance, according to Rebecca Clark and Leesa Jones, who explained the museum project to the council in May.

Washington has received designation as a National Park Service Underground Network to Freedom site. The committee’s goal is to have the museum open by the latter part of this summer, Clark said.

“Our goal is to have it open by August,” Clark told the council Monday.

The museum will be open during daylight hours Thursdays through Sundays, unless there is a special event downtown could result in the museum being open on other days and times, Clark said.

In a presentation to city officials last year, Jones said her research discovered evidence of ship captains used the Pamlico River to help slaves escape to freedom. She also found African-Americans used codes at the waterfront to tell escaping slaves whether to wait or board the ships. Jones researches the role of African-Americans in Washington’s history and conducts tours that focus on that history.

The agreement allows WHDA to restore the caboose to its original colors. In May, Clark said Washington’s Noon Rotary supports the project and has “lined up” professional painters to repaint the caboose. The agreement also allows WHDA to make other improvements related to the caboose, including connecting it by a wooden platform to the existing walkway and ramp at the rear of the adjacent Peterson Building.

Plans call for the caboose to house a pictorial museum and for presentations and re-enactments to take place on the grounds next to the caboose.