Living the Experience

One of Lancaster County’s most moving and powerfully significant hidden gems, Living the Experience is a creative, spiritual, and interactive historical reenactment of the Underground Railroad, as it occurred on-site, at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in the City of Lancaster. Living The Experience (LTE) is the first Underground Railroad reenactment in Central Pennsylvania made available with a regular schedule of performances. It has been presented to groups from all over the nation, and as far away as Australia, Alaska, Africa, and Europe.

This Underground Railroad living history program is presented interactively in first person interpretation in an effort to bring alive the people, places, and events of Lancaster. The program actively engages its audiences in the learning of Lancaster’s involvement in the Underground Railroad and also its involvement as a free community of Africans.

Those who attend are provided an honest portrayal of the experiential realities of those involved in the Underground Railroad. From the stories that are told, the spirituals that are sung, and in the emotional connections that are felt. People are provided an opportunity to learn and to gain a clearer perspective on the events and the people involved with this “station” on the underground railroad.  Following the reenactment, a Southern style meal is served and local vendors are on site.