Frequently Asked Questions

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 In 1856, William Slosson, an abolitionist, made the bold decision to leave New York and head to the Kansas Territory to claim land, hoping to establish a free haven for those seeking refuge from slavery. The following spring, John Graham joined his brother-in-law, William, along with his brother, William Graham, and Edwin Miller, a fellow abolitionist. They met in Illinois in March of 1857, forming a partnership that would carry them westward on a mission that transcended the ordinary.  

The group boarded the Silver Heels, a Missouri River packet, and made their way to Doniphan, Kansas, arriving in April of 1857. Their purpose was clear: to help make Kansas a free state, to create a base for freedom seekers who would pass through the territory on their way to safety. Once in Doniphan, they staked their land claims—160 acres each at the cost of $1.25 per acre—and prepared to settle and begin their work. Armed with little more than “beecher” rifles, axes, and a sense of purpose, the four men set off for Albany, the future site of their sanctuary.  

Their first night on the trail was spent under the open sky, with John standing guard during the night. The group traveled on foot, covering sixty miles in ten grueling days. Their arrival in Albany was a momentous occasion, as they staked their claims, built cabins, and began to make their vision of a free community a reality. The first cabin to go up was that of Edwin Miller, who had a family waiting for him back in Doniphan. John, along with Edwin, made the long journey back to Doniphan to bring Miller’s family to their new home.

By 1858, the Albany community had grown, with over forty families and individuals staking claims in the territory.  On July 11, 1858, the Albany settlers gathered to dedicate a covenant, establishing their official stance against slavery. Rev. Roswell D. Parker (one of Kansas's well-known early abolitionists) was invited to officiate. As Parker explained, the community’s resolve was clear: “This church regards slaveholding as it exists in this country as a great crime and sin against God, and we cannot receive into our fellowship those who maintain a contrary opinion.” They were a community united by a singular cause—the fight to make Kansas a free state and to support the abolition of slavery. (Parker is also listed as one of the original parcel purchases of Albany and owned the ground that Albany cemetery sits on). This conviction would guide their actions for years to come.

As the Albany community grew, so too did their involvement in the Underground Railroad. John, William and their fellow settlers worked closely with men like General James H. Lane and the famous abolitionist John Brown. They provided shelter, food, and support for freedom seekers, even as they risked their own lives. They hid slaves in their homes, stores, and a nearby cave. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 had made helping runaway slaves a dangerous crime, yet these men and women stood firm in their resolve. Their work was not without peril, but they were undeterred.   John Brown, on this very cold last day of January 1859, arrived in Albany with a final group of fugitive slaves, seeking refuge from those who would imprison them.  He, himself, would stay with Graham in the log cabin while his men and the fugitive slaves were dispersed amongst the Albany settlers, that willingly opened their hearts and home to the fugitives.  

While some abolitionists criticized Brown’s tactics, John, his brothers, his family and his community chose to stand by him, understanding the urgency of the situation and the need to act.  According to Oswald Villard's book on John Brown, William Graham (who claimed land that settled as Sabetha) reported, “The morning Brown left Kansas, he wanted me to go along and help them over the Nemaha River, so I did. When we came to the river, it was so high that could not ford it, and the weather was very cold. We hoped it would freeze that night so that the ice would bear; and we stayed at the log house of an Indian, Tessaun, on the Sac and Fox Reservation (in Nebraska). He had a double log-house and gave us a large room with a bed in it. As I had no blankets, I was assigned to the bed with John Brown. In the morning, the ice was strong enough to bear a man, but not a team; so, they took the wagons to pieces and pushed them across. Then they laid poles across with rails and bushes and boards on them and over this bridge they led the horses. Then I bade them goodbye and returned to Sabetha.”  The time that John Brown and men traveled through Kansas with his fugitive slaves was a tense time for all involved, with a palpable sense of danger hanging in the air, but the settlers’ commitment to freedom and their solidarity with Brown remained steadfast.

In 1861, with the Civil War looming, John L. Graham among others from Albany, answered the call to fight for the Union. John himself helped raise a company of infantry, serving first as a 2nd lieutenant before being promoted to captain. His dedication to the abolitionist cause led him to fight on the frontlines of the war. Unfortunately, his journey would end at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19, 1863, where he was killed in action. He gave his life in the pursuit of freedom, a sacrifice that was part of the larger struggle that ultimately led to the end of slavery in America.

Today, John L. Graham’s legacy lives on in the community of Albany and in the hearts of those who continue to fight for justice and equality. His role in the Underground Railroad, his leadership in the abolitionist movement, and his unwavering support of freedom have made him a figure whose story deserves to be remembered. Graham County, Kansas was named for John L Graham.

After the Civil War, John Graham's widow sold their cabin in Albany to John Waggoner. In March 1889, this cabin, where Brown had stayed, was destroyed by fire. Waggoner rebuilt it, and today it stands as the Most House, a cherished part of Albany's legacy. Alongside the Rock School Museum, it is recognized by the National Historical Society for its cultural significance.

In the 1870s, when the railroad company favored Sabetha’s smoother terrain over Albany’s hilly landscape, Albany lost the rail line. Undeterred, Albany’s leaders relocated, moving homes, businesses, and families which forged an enduring bond between the original Albany and Sabetha, their shared legacy rooted in resilience.

Various events are hosted at Albany Historical Society throughout the year, our main events are an antique equipment show, and tractor pull.  We have several small events throughout the year.  We have a Halloween event for kids to come and learn about the various buildings, and they pick up treats.  A Christmas Shopping Event for last minute mostly hand-crafted gifts. And often we will host lost skills classes, Knitting, Smithing, Soap making and others.

Albany doesn't currently have all of there buildings wheel chair accessible.  During show times we do provide UTV's and Golfcarts with drivers to help those in need of assistance