In celebration of Black History Month, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center (Stop #13 along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway) invites everyone to free, family-friendly programs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in February.

The park, located in Church Creek on Maryland’s Eastern Shore – not far from where Harriet Tubman lived and toiled – is open daily from 9am to 5pm and houses an exhibit hall, immersive displays, a gift store and an information desk. Throughout the month, the park’s expert staff will lead special programs to honor the life and legacy of Maryland native Harriet Tubman and the struggle for freedom that she embodied.

All events listed below are free of charge. Admission to the visitor center is also free. There is a lot more African-American history and to be explored and several other Black History Month events happening in Dorchester County, Maryland. See the full round-up.

Fridays – Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28:

  • Introduction – 10am, noon and 4pm. Enjoy a ranger-led introduction highlighting the symbolism of the park and visitor center.
  • The Preponderance of Poverty – 2pm. Poverty has been a strain on the lives of most humans throughout history. In this program. Join Ranger Nwakudo to better understand what causes this burden and what can be done about it.

Saturdays – Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29:

  • Mancala! Mancala! Mancala! takes place at 11am. Join rangers and learn how to play the board game Mancala! It takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master. Bring a smile and creativity and create your own game board.
  • Raptors & Reptiles of Dorchester County at 2pm (February 15 and 29 only). Since Tubman’s time in Dorchester County, the landscape has remained relatively unchanged. Join Ranger Maszkiewicz and Maryland Park Service’s Scales & Tales for a lesson on the natural landscape and native wildlife of Tubman’s time.

Sundays – Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23:

  • Story Time with Mama Mary – 11am. Explore the concept of self-liberation through engaging storytelling and self-reflection with Ranger “Mama Mary” Dennard. Enjoy a moment of meditation and recognition of privileges taken for granted. After being a part of Ranger Dennard’s presentation, we hope you will have an awareness of how far society has come and how far we still have to go.

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center, soon to begin its fourth year of operation, has hosted hundreds of thousands of visitors from more than 70 countries and territories and all 50 states. This state-of-the-art, green facility is managed in partnership with the National Park Service.

Address: 4068 Golden Hill Rd., Church Creek, MD