September is International Underground Railroad Month in Maryland, honoring the brave men, women, and children who fought for freedom. It’s the month when Harriet Tubman (born here in Dorchester County, Maryland) made her first attempt to escape slavery (Sept. 17) and when abolitionist Frederick Douglass self-liberated himself in Baltimore (Sept. 3).
To mark the month, join in one of the special events happening along the Tubman Byway, or explore the road trip known as the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway on your own. You can also see events happening in other parts of the state.
Footsteps to Freedom: Sept. 13-14, 2024
Reserve your spot for “Footsteps to Freedom: The Historic Link Between Sacrifice, Triumph, and the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement” Sept. 13 and 14. This event also pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the annual Harriet Tubman Emancipation Day. Join in for reflection, education, and inspiration with highlights including “Steal Away” (a puppet/live actor production), seed work artists from the Caribbean islands, workshops to make a Harriet Tubman Emancipation Doll, ranger programs, children’s discovery zone, workshops, performances, and conversations. RSVP for the event.
Underground Railroad Walking Tours
There will be Underground Railroad guided walking tours led by the Harriet Tubman Museum at 10am both Sept 13 and 14. These two-mile, guided walks start at the Harriet Tubman Visitor Center in Church Creek, MD (meet at 9:45am), and explore Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, where history and nature meet. Free, but register for the walks in advance. Donations are welcome. Sponsored by the National Park Service and Maryland Park Service, this event offers a perfect blend of education, inspiration, and community spirit.
Road trip: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway
Another way to mark International Underground Railroad Month is to take the road trip known as the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. This self-guided, scenic driving tour includes more than 30 sites, including the well-known “Take My Hand” mural and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center. Enrich your experience with the free audio guide.
Stanley Institute & Christ Rock Church Community Day
Stanley Institute, once a one-room schoolhouse that educated Black children, is Stop #7 along the Harriet Tubman Byway. The area was also the site of two successful escapes by 44 enslaved people. All who attended Christ Rock School, Stanley Institute, or Rock Academy and Christ Rock United Methodist Church are invited to come together as a community from 2 to 4pm Sept. 14 to learn how the community got the name “Christ Rock” and the role the community plays in the history of the Underground Railroad. Meet at Fellowship Hall, 2403 Rock Dr., Cambridge, MD. Organized by the Friends of Stanley Institute.