Gary Long and Steve Eberlein sell all kinds of antiques in their store, M-60 Variety, in Cassopolis. A circa 1850s wagon was part of the contents of an entire barn they purchased recently in Berrien Springs.

Underground Railroad Society of Cass County members recently saw the wagon sitting behind the shop and approached the owners about buying it, as it is representative of the wagons that once carried fugitive slaves (now known as freedom seekers) from station to station on the Underground Railroad, and would find a perfect home in the James E. Bonine Carriage House at Calvin Center and M-60 in Vandalia, a station on the UGRR.

Long and Eberlein talked it over and decided to donate the wagon, because they appreciate the progress and the good job URSCC is doing with the restoration of the Bonine House and Carriage House, representatives said.

Mike Kidman, of Cassopolis, who has restored and built wagons of all kinds, agreed to restore it, noting that it was in relatively good shape thanks to being in the barn for all these years. He will install a fake floor like some wagons used to transport freedom seekers.

URSCC president Mike Moroz was thrilled about the donation, saying it is a wonderful addition to the Carriage House and will allow visitors to experience a bit of what it was like on the Underground Railroad.

URSCC treasurer Cathy LaPointe invites everyone to see the wagon displayed in the Carriage House as part of Christmas at the Bonine House, which will from 1 to 7 p.m. Dec. 2-3 and 9-10.