The Overground Railroad: A Conversation with Candacy Taylor

Candacy Taylor's critically acclaimed book explores the historical role and residual impact of the Green Book, a travel guide Black Americans used when traveling during the Jim Crow era. In the book, Taylor carefully retraces the Green Book’s history, embarking on her own cross-country road trip to seek what remains of the businesses and buildings listed.

Taylor will discuss her journey with Pittsburgh radio legend Elaine Effort. The conversation will also reveal the Green Book’s Pittsburgh connections and include behind-the-scenes stories about the Smithsonian’s The Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition, which Taylor helped create.

The discussion will be followed by a book signing. “Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America” will be available for purchase from the History Center Museum Shop.

The book talk and signing will be held in the History Center’s fifth floor Mueller Center. Tickets are $10 for non-members and $5 for members. Advance registration is required for this event. Attendees can tour the exhibition, The Negro Motorist Green Book, ahead of the discussion. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m.