The Thomas Family Story
Dedicated Abolitionists
When the Underground Railroad passed through southern Michigan, Dr. Nathan Thomas was asked to open his home as a station. As an ardent Quaker abolitionist, Dr. Thomas and his wife, Pamela, provided a sanctuary in this small home (including his doctor's office) for twenty years. During that time, they added four children to their family. Yet, there was always room for unexpected 'guests'. It is estimated during the twenty years, they provided food and shelter for more than 1,000 travelers on their way to freedom.
The House is only open by appointment.
To schedule a tour, you can reach us by phone or send us an email:
Call us 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (ET),
Monday through Friday, at:
(269) 271-4653
or
Email us at:
NathanThomasMuseum@outlook.com
Please include the following information in your email:
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Your or your org's name and nature of your org. (i.e., school group, family visit).
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Your telephone #.
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Desired date and time of your visit
(tours last 30 to 60 minutes depending on group size). -
# of adults and children (aged 5 to 13) in your tour group.
Please allow 2 business days for our response as we are an all-volunteer organization.
TOUR FEES
Tour fees, our primary income source, are:
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School Groups
$4 per adult
$2 per school child
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All Other Groups
$10 per adult
$5 per child aged 5 thru 13 yrs.
In 1975, a group of Schoolcraft residents founded the Schoolcraft Historical Society to purchase this structure. It was purchased for the purpose of preserving and sharing the legacy of Dr. Nathan and Pamela Thomas' 20-year participation in the Underground Railroad during the 1800's.
Today, a dedicated, small group of volunteers act as stewards of the property who share the legacy of the Thomas' with visitors.
The Dr. Nathan Thomas Underground Railroad House is dedicated to preserving the history of how the Thomas family participated in the Underground Railroad and the important role this house played.
Through our exhibits and guided tours, we strive to educate visitors of all ages about the bravery and sacrifice of those who provided refuge to escaped slaves.
We are located at:
613 East Cass St.,
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
Efforts Underway to Preserve This Historic Structure!
"Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much."
Helen Keller
In 2023, the Dr. Nathan Thomas House, a historic landmark in Schoolcraft, MI, started a fundraising campaign aimed at preserving its structure. This house, which played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad, needs substantial repairs to keep its historical integrity and continue serving as a museum.
The house requires roof repair, replacement fencing, energy efficient window replacements, new weatherproof siding along with minor updates to the interior. The foundation of the house also needed significant attention.
The Society set a goal to raise $95,000 to cover the major maintenance and repairs to the house. The community has responded generously, and the campaign has made noteworthy progress towards its goal. The Society sincerely thanks the following contributors:
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Consumers Energy Foundation ($25,000)
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Village of Schoolcraft
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Schoolcraft Township
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Schoolcraft Schools student fundraising efforts which raised $2100!
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Harding’s Fresh Xpress
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Kalamazoo County State Bank
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Veterinary Clinic of Schoolcraft
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The Kalamazoo Quakers Society of Friends
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The Dome
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Brian Devries Law Office
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All the individual contributors from across the country who contribute via the campaign’s GoFundMe website or who mailed in their donations.
Thanks to over $90,000 already raised, the Dr. Nathan Thomas House has begun the much-needed repairs and is seeking to utilize locally based services such as Musselman Home Improvements and All Seasons Windows whenever possible. The repairs will not only maintain the structural integrity of the house but also reduce annual maintenance and energy costs. To date, the foundation issues have been addressed, interior painting has begun, replacement windows are being installed, and the new siding is scheduled to be installed this Fall. Fund raising activities continue to complete remaining renovations.
Looking for a way to
give back to your community?
We are currently seeking enthusiastic volunteer docents to join our team!
As a docent, you will have the opportunity to share the Thomas Family story with our visitors. We will provide you with necessary training and tools to effectively inform visitors about the role this family and home played in our nation's history.
Join us today! Either email us at:
NathanThomasMuseum@outlook.com
or call us at:
(269) 270-4653