Grand opening events happening March 10-12

A weekend of events will help celebrate the grand opening of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in and around Cambridge, Maryland. The new visitor center opens to the public on March 11.

• FAQs about the grand opening.

• Download a PDF with info on the shuttles, events, and maps showing their locations.

• For Tubman-related events during the rest of the year, see our 2017 Tubman Events Roundup.

• Check out the recent media coverage about the new Tubman Visitor Center.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Rarely Seen Artifacts at Bucktown Village Store

A site along the Harriet Tubman Byway that’s usually open by appointment only, Bucktown Village Store will be open all day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visitors will get a personal tour of the general store from the 1800s from members of the Meredith family, the fifth generation to live in Bucktown, who will discuss Tubman, the store, and life in the 19th century. Visitors will also have a rare opportunity to view Underground Railroad artifacts owned by the family, including the runaway ad for “Minty” (later known as Harriet Tubman). Questions? Call 410-901-9255.
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: Bucktown Village Store, 4303 Bucktown Rd., Cambridge, MD 21613

Harriet: A Community Conversation

One-woman presentation of the life of Harriet Tubman by Diana Y (Thompson), Cambridge, MD, native and Columbia University oral history fellow. Reception and conversation to follow. Free will offering.
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Christ Episcopal Church, Church and High Sts., Cambridge, MD.

There’s a Message in the Music: Celebrating the Life of Harriet Tubman

In celebration of the life of Harriet Tubman, the Art Bar at Liv Again hosts Jazzy Blu on March 10 at 7:30pm. Doors open at 6pm. An evening of food, dance, and entertainment on the eve of the grand opening of the new Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, about 20 minutes away. $20 per person. Buy advance tickets.
Time: 7:30-11pm
Location: The Art Bar, 317 High St., Cambridge, MD 21613

SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2017

FREE SHUTTLE!

FREE SHUTTLE! Because of the large crowds expected and because parking at the Tubman Visitor Center is limited, there will be free shuttles running on both Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12 from downtown Cambridge to the Tubman Visitor Center (about a 20-minute drive). The shuttles will run from 10am to 4pm with the last shuttle leaving Cambridge at 3pm. The shuttles will leave from and return to the parking lot across from the City Hall building at 410 Academy Street in Cambridge, MD. Parking is free. Shuttles will leave about every 15 minutes. On Saturday only, here will be an additional shuttle between the Tubman Visitor Center and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, which is hosting the Eagle Festival on March 11.

Grand Opening Events at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center

Free events including Harriet Tubman re-enactor, creative writing workshop, book signing, talk by the center’s architect, children’s activities, and more. At the center in Church Creek, MD. Browse the full schedule. The Eagle Festival is also happening the same day about a mile away at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
Time: 9am-5pm
Location: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, 4068 Golden Hill Rd, Church Creek, MD 21622

Community Prayer Breakfast

In honor of the grand opening of the Tubman Visitor Center, there will be a Community Prayer Breakfast in Cambridge, Maryland, about 20 minutes from the new center, on Saturday, March 11. The event includes a morning message and musical tribute by Grammy Award-winning Bishop Marvin Winans. Also performing will be vocalist Ayanna Gregory, daughter of comedian and activist Dick Gregory. The master of ceremonies will be news reporter Sam Ford of ABC7/WJLA-TV. There will also be a book signing with author Carole Boston-Weatherford, author of Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom.
Time: 9am to 12pm
Location: Refuge Temple Church of God, Hattie L. Stanley Dream Center, 800 Robbins St., Cambridge, MD
Tickets: $30 per person. Buy tickets online or in person at the Dorchester County Visitor Center, 2 Rose Hill Pl., Cambridge, MD.

Rarely Seen Artifacts at Bucktown Village Store

Linchester Mill Open

A site along the Harriet Tubman Byway usually open by appointment only this time of year, the historic Linchester Mill will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday.
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: Linchester Mill, 3390 Linchester Rd, Preston, MD 21655

Museum of Rural Life Underground Railroad Exhibit

The Museum of Rural Life features Underground Railroad Exhibits. Located near the Caroline Courthouse, a site along the Tubman Byway, the museum will be open extended hours for grand opening weekend.
Time: 11am-4pm
Location: Museum of Rural Life, 16 N. 2nd St, Denton, MD 21629

Praying and Singing Band

The Singing and Praying Band of Delaware and Maryland will perform and give a documentary on the history and ties of Harriet Tubman to the south Dorchester County area on Saturday, March 11 at 1pm at New Revived United Methodist Church in Taylors Island, Maryland. The group belongs to an African American devotional/musical tradition unique to the Delmarva region. The church where they will perform is a site along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, a 125-mile self-guided driving tour. New Revived was established in 1876 as an African-American church. Free will offering.
Time: 1pm
Location: New Revived United Methodist Church, 4350 Smithville Rd, Taylors Island, MD 21669

View from the Lighthouse: The Underground Railroad

Visit the Choptank River Lighthouse at Long Wharf on the waterfront in Cambridge and soak in commanding views of the historic Choptank River while hearing a presentation on this topic by Jim Duffy, the award-winning author of Eastern Shore Road Trips and the forthcoming Tubman Travel Companion. Duffy’s talk will encompass stories on a broad array of Underground Railroad topics linked to the area right around the Lighthouse, from Harriet Tubman’s family roots to the first escape she ever engineered, and much more. The Lighthouse is ordinarily closed this time of year. In addition to being open for the presentation, the Lighthouse will be open from 11am to 5pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, March 10-12. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. The program is presented by the Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation. Information: ChoptankLighthouse@gmail.com; 410-463-2635.
Time: Presentation at 2:30pm; Lighthouse open for visits 10am-5pm
Location: Choptank River Lighthouse, High and Water Streets, Cambridge, MD 21613

Harriet Tubman Banquet

This annual dinner celebrates the life of Harriet Tubman. Sponsored by the Harriet Tubman Organization. This year’s theme is “Harriet Ross Tubman is Home, we Thank You – Part III.” Cost is $40 per person. At Minnette Dick Hall, Cambridge, MD. For information or tickets, call 410-228-0401 or email hariettubman@verizon.net.
Time: 2:45pm
Location: Minnette Dick Hall at St. Mary’s Church, 2002 Hambrooks Blvd, Cambridge, MD 21613

Greg Hatza and ORGANization: Celebrate Harriet Tubman

In celebration of the opening of the Tubman Visitor Center, this accomplished quartet will play traditional jazz, blues, pop and more. Find out more about the quartet at greghatza.com. Advance tickets cost $20; $25 at the door (if not sold out). Buy tickets.
Time: 7-10pm
Location: Art Bar at Liv Again, 317 High St., Second Floor, Cambridge, MD 21613

Walking Tour of the Tilly Escape

The Seaford Museum presents a walking tour about Tubman’s “Tilly Escape” through Seaford starting at the museum. The group will walk down to the town dock and then “walk in the footsteps of Harriet Tubman,” up the hill to Gateway Park where Harriet Tubman spent the night at the Hotel and was almost captured.
Time: 3pm
Location: Seaford Museum, 203 High St., Seaford, DE 19973

Harriet Tubman Day in Delaware

In celebration of Harriet Tubman Day and the grand opening of the Tubman Visitor Center in Maryland, the Underground Railroad Coalition of Delaware plans commemorative programming:

Last Stop to Freedom: Wilmington’s Enduring Role in the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman’s Legacy. 11am-12:30pm; Wilmington Friends Meeting House, 401 N. West St., Wilmington, DE. Read more.
The Underground Railroad in Delaware. Hands-on activities and living history. 11am to 3pm, Delaware Historical Society, 504 N. Market St., Wilmington. DE. Read more.
Thomas Garrett and his Role in the History of Delaware Slavery. March 11 at 11am and 1pm and March 12 at 2pm, New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE. Read more.

To find out more about the Tubman Byway in Delaware, visit tubmanbywaydelaware.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2017

Grand Opening Events at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center

Free events including Harriet Tubman re-enactor, creative writing workshop, book signing, talk by the center’s architect, children’s activities, and more. At the center in Church Creek, MD. Browse the full schedule.
Time: 9am-5pm
Location: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, 4068 Golden Hill Rd, Church Creek, MD 21622

Rarely Seen Artifacts at Bucktown Village Store

View from the Lighthouse: The Underground Railroad

Visit the Choptank River Lighthouse at Long Wharf on the waterfront in Cambridge and soak in commanding views of the historic Choptank River while hearing a presentation on this topic by Jim Duffy, the award-winning author of Eastern Shore Road Trips and the forthcoming Tubman Travel Companion. Duffy’s talk will encompass stories on a broad array of Underground Railroad topics linked to the area right around the Lighthouse, from Harriet Tubman’s family roots to the first escape she ever engineered, and much more. The Lighthouse is ordinarily closed this time of year. In addition to being open for the presentation, the Lighthouse will be open from 11am to 5pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, March 10-12. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. The program is presented by the Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation. Information: ChoptankLighthouse@gmail.com; 410-463-2635.
Time: Presentation at 11am; Lighthouse open for visits 10am-5pm
Location: Choptank River Lighthouse, High and Water Streets, Cambridge, MD 21613