Hannah House

Indiana · USA · House

Alexander Moore Hanna sheltered people escaping slavery in his basement. The legend says a lamp fell and they died there. Historians are not convinced.

Hannah House in Indianapolis was built by Alexander Moore Hanna, who was involved in the Underground Railroad and sheltered people escaping slavery in the basement of his house.

The legend attached holds that an oil lamp was knocked over down there, that the fire killed everyone hiding in the basement, and that the deaths were concealed because acknowledging them would have exposed the whole operation.

Historians have long been sceptical. No bodies, no record and no contemporary account support it, and the story appears to be considerably younger than the house.

What is not in question is what the basement was for. People fleeing slavery really were hidden in it, at real risk to everyone involved, and that is the part of this house worth remembering.

Cold spots and doors are what visitors report. The house is open for tours and events.

FAQ

Hvor ligger Hannah House?

Hannah House ligger i Indiana, USA.

Image: Nyttend / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons