Today is the day I visit Albert at Hilltop.
I debate whether to walk there to calm my nerves or drive. I opt to drive so I arrive there crisp and clean, not sweaty. Hilltop may be close, but the approach is quite steep.
I have just one cup of coffee as my nerves are already frayed. I head out the door.
I wonder to myself how many people have driven the path leading up to the house. It is beautiful, I must say … perfectly manicured, every leaf in place, not a weed to be seen.
This place has been such a huge unknown to everyone here for so long – I truly cannot believe this is happening.
Very few know much about the estate or what goes on there, or what has gone on there throughout history. There is the understanding that the Hilltop estate was an important part of the Underground Railroad, smuggling slaves northward and away from southern states. But little else is known.
I drive up one of the long winding driveways that reach the mansion from four different directions, this one from River Road.
I arrive early and proceed to the front door of the mansion, but Albert is already there.
“Greetings and good morning,” Albert sings out, “Good to have you here today. I’m anxious to show you what Hilltop is all about. Coffee?”
I accept only to be polite.
We sit and enjoy a pastry while Albert explains how the land was selected and developed, how and why the four entrance roads were created, how the mansion and estate buildings were designed and built to purpose, and how the views from the top of the hill are an integrated and significant part of Hilltop security. He also explained how Hilltop changed hands over the years.
With that information as a background, Albert leads me into the mansion. The rooms are large but not lavish. The furniture is very old and dusty. Several people work in the mansion and elsewhere in the estate, but Albert is the only person who lives there. He leads me to the roof above the top floor and into the crow’s nest where we encounter a commanding view of all four approach roads and the river in both directions, all very important for smuggling slaves and contraband.
I am impressed.
Albert explains that there is a network of tunnels connecting the mansion with other buildings in the estate. There are several large underground rooms accessible by tunnel from the loading dock where smuggled product from Canada used to be unloaded from trucks for shipment and distribution to the south. The type of smuggled product has varied over the years, but Canadian liquor was the most common in its day, during prohibition, of course.
Albert leads me through a tunnel that ends in a very large, dark, and cool room. He explains that they were attempting to use the room to develop a mushroom-growing business.
I start to walk down another tunnel that connects to a room where I hear some pounding noises and loud conversations that include a very odd voice speaking in a language that I do not recognize.
Albert quickly redirects me from the tunnel.
“I’m sorry, that are is off-limits for moment,” he says. “Construction, you know.”
I cannot identify the sounds and am quite puzzled by Albert’s reaction but I don’t question his direction, for now.
Albert explains that several large underground rooms were dug out and used to harbor fugitive slaves as they passed through Hilltop on their way north. At this time, Albert says the damp darkness is excellent for raising mushrooms. There has also been discussion, he says, about starting a winery using underground rooms to age the wine.
The tour continues through other small buildings that must have been vital to estate operations at some point but are only in use today for storage. A few of the auxiliary buildings have been converted to simple living quarters for employees who elect to stay at Hilltop for a few days, or even semi-permanently, as they work on the premises.
Cautiously, I ask Albert about the type of work being done by Hilltop employees. His answers are annoyingly vague.
“Research, storage … you know, all the things that businesses need.”
I feel it would be wise for me to stop pushing and come back for more information and a clearer explanation at a time in the future.
We finish the tour covering most of the estate, but some portions are definitely glossed over or skipped entirely. I notice, for example, that barely visible in the woods below one of the access roads was a partially overgrown metal entrance door, about 25 feet wide, that appears to open into something underground, almost as if it were a hanger for a vehicle of some type.
I am curious, but I don’t let on that I notice it. Some other time.
Yes, there are unresolved questions and thoughts, but in general, the visit went smoothly. I feel the primary goal of the visit was accomplished – to open the lines of communication between the town and Hilltop. I come away feeling, or should I say knowing, that Albert didn’t reveal a lot of what goes on there, but I will survive to pursue more at a later time.
As I get into my car to return, I call out to Albert.
“Thanks very much for the tour. It was very educational. When I get home, I will think about everything I’ve experienced with you today and jot down some notes to supplement my memory. I hope you will permit me to get in touch with you if I have some follow-up questions.”
“If we can get together again, I’ll spring for the coffee and pastries. Thanks again.”
Albert smiles and waves as I drive off.
And on the drive home, I am thinking about what I didn’t see today and wonder what he’s thinking.
But this is quite a start.