The process to become a Network Partner is distinct from that of the Network described here and is explained in a different section of the Network to Freedom Program. The Network incorporates a broad range of elements that have been nominated and evaluated for their association to the Underground Railroad and have met certain established criteria. Elements included in the Network form part of a database administered by the National Park Service. The Network database is accessible to the general public and serves a varied audience. For example, it can be a valuable research tool for students and scholars investigating the Underground Railroad.
Tourists can access the database to develop an Underground Railroad travel itinerary.
Or, people simply looking for the opportunity to experience a living history demonstration or visit an Underground Railroad museum program on a Sunday afternoon, can refer to the database. The reference potential is limitless. Most important, sites, facilities, and programs in the Network are recognized for the significant contribution they make to preserving and commemorating a part of our nation's heritage and to enhancing our understanding of the Underground Railroad. Inclusion in the Network does not guarantee that threatened sites will be protected or that preservation will occur. Nor does it guarantee that programs or facilities will receive financial assistance for planning or development.