On a hot June morning, Sam Adams Elementary student Karie Elder waited for someone to press a black dot on her hand.

Elder, dressed as historical figure Hannah Eastboughe who guided many slaves to freedom, stood perfectly still and waited for the opportunity to educate visitors to the John E. Bonine House in Vandalia about the history of the Underground Railroad in Cass County.

The Underground Railroad Society of Cass County hosted its annual Wax Museum Friday, June 9. Sam Adams Elementary students memorized facts about real-life individuals involved in the Underground Railroad, and would recite the story of their chosen figure whenever a visitor would press a black “button” on their hand. Otherwise, the students remained unmoving, imitating wax figures.

The location of the event served as a stop on the Underground Railroad in the 1800s.

“The goal is let people know about the history of the Underground Railroad in Cass County,” said founding member of the URSCC Cathy Lapointe.

Felomina Patton, a retired teacher and current member of URSCC, served as a coach to the participating students.

The students, who were all volunteers, have been preparing for the Wax Museum since late January, Patton said.

Each student chose their historical figures, did their own research and wrote and edited their speeches themselves.

Patton said she is proud of the students for all of their hard work, and believes that they have done a great job this year.

“It’s a taxing job, but they enjoy it,” Patton said. “They enjoy it because they get to know how important Cass County is. This is where the Kentucky Raid of 1847 happened. It is very historical. They take pride in doing this.”

Many of the children participating found this to be true.

It is a love for history that prompted sixth grader Rachel Williams to participate in the wax museum. Williams played a young member of the Abrams family, one of the original African American families in Cass County.

“In social studies, I like to pay attention more, because I like history and learning about people who lived in the past and what they have done,” Williams said. “It’s been worth all the effort.”

Sam Adams Elementary School has been involved with the wax museum since 2013. Most of the students involved have participated in past years and hope to continue with the project next year.

Seventh grader Adryanna Gilliam, who played a character who operated an Underground Railroad station, has been volunteering with the wax museum since 2015.

“I keep doing it because it’s interesting to learn about all the people who did stuff with getting rid of slavery,” Gilliam said.

Elder, a sixth grader, particularly enjoys volunteering for the wax museum because the group fits her interests more than other clubs. She said she will happily continue to volunteer in the future.

“I really love history,” Elder said. “It just seemed like a good fit for me.”