We were honored to have Maryland Governor Wes Moore at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park & Visitor Center in Church Creek, Maryland on Feb. 14. He was here to help share the latest archaeological discoveries on land where Harriet Tubman was born into slavery. Archaeologists discovered evidence of a home – believed to be that of an enslaved overseer, possibly Jerry Manokey – on the Thompson Farm, the birthplace of Tubman here in Dorchester County, Maryland. The finds include a brick foundation and many artifacts, including a West African spirit cache.
The news follows the April 2021 announcement of the discovery of the home site of Ben Ross, Harriet Tubman’s father. While the Ross home site is on land owned by Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, this new find is on privately owned land. The artifacts will soon be on display at the Tubman Visitor Center. Archaeologists will continue their research on the on land that was once the Thompson plantation this spring and summer.
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Photos courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor.
Posted Feb. 16, 2023