haines house underground railroad site

We toured the Haines house as part of the events for the Alliance Carnation festival that was held in late summer of this year. When we arrived we parked in the back of the house and did not see a sign telling us where to enter the house. So, we walked up to the back door right by the parking lot and two ladies were chatting right inside the door. We made eye contact with each other and before the one lady opened the door they finished their conversation. A little odd; most historic homes are very welcoming especially ones that are not open to the public very frequently. (Their website list their usual hours as the first weekend of every month.) She allowed us in and pointed to another group of ladies that could take the money and begin our tour. Our tour guide was formal, yet educational with her information. We were the only two visitors in the house at that time so our tour offered the chance to ask lots of questions about the history and furnishings. The tour probably took a little under an hour and we finished up back in the area where we paid. While we were looking around this room at some brochures two new visitors entered and it felt like we were rushed out a little after this with no offer to continue looking through the house. It was a little awkward; they weren't rude by any means but just not near as friendly or welcoming as we've come to expect when we tour historic homes. If you get a chance and you are into historic homes then you will probably consider this a worthwhile tour. Admission is only a few dollars per person.

Allaince has worked hard to preserve this historic house and provide educational programs for schools and the public