There are several special events planned for September relating to Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad, and African-American history — all happening on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where Tubman lived for more than 25 years.
September 5, 3pm
Free concert: Sunpie Performs African spirituals
Location: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, Church Creek, MD
Enjoy a free performance by Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots on Thursday, September 5 at 3pm. Sunpie is known for performing his own style of Afro-Louisiana music that combines zydeco, blues, gospel, and Caribbean traditions. Among Sunpie’s many areas of expertise is the deep wellspring of traditional songs, African American spirituals in particular, that contained hidden meanings for enslaved Africans who dreamed of reaching freedom on the Underground Railroad. Read more.
September 7, all day
A Day of Resilience
Location: Cambridge, MD
A special daylong event that includes the dedication of the Harriet Tubman Mural, and events to reflect on the 400th anniversary of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the arrival of the first Africans to be sold into bondage in North America in 1619 at Jamestown. Some events feature ambassadors from three African countries. Read more.
September 14, 10am-4pm
Emancipation Day Celebration
Location: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, Church Creek, MD
On September 17, 1849 Harriet Tubman first attempted to liberate herself from the bonds of slavery. In recognition of her courage and strength the Tubman Visitor Center is hosting a day of events including ranger-led programs, live music, and the public premiere of the Visitor Center’s new orientation film “Harriet Tubman: Soldier of Freedom,” as well as a presentation by Tubman scholar and biographer Dr. Kate Clifford Larson. Read more.
September 20, 6:30-8pm
Talk: Frederick Douglass’s Godson, Publisher of the Eastern Shore’s Only Black Newspaper
Location: Heritage Museums & Gardens of Dorchester, Cambridge, MD
Historian and journalist John Muller gives a presentation about Frederick Douglass’s godson, Rev. Henry Augustus Monroe, who launched a newspaper in Somerset County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. He also served as pastor of Waugh Chapel in Cambridge, where he became a well-respected editor, historian and community leader. Read more.
September 21, 9-10:30am
Walking Tour of Frederick Douglass in Cambridge
Location: Cambridge, MD
Did you know that Frederick Douglass was born in the next county over from where Harriet Tubman was born on Maryland’s Eastern Shore? Recently some interesting history about Douglass’s visits to Cambridge, MD, has been rediscovered and will be shared during a Walking Tour of some of the sites where Douglass himself walked. Read more.
September 21, 11am-12pm
Talk: African American Officers in Liberia
Location: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, Church Creek, MD
Join author and historian Brian Shellum as he discusses his latest book, African American Officers in Liberia, which tells the story of 17 African American officers who trained, reorganized, and commanded the Liberian Frontier Force from 1910-1942. This West African country was founded by freed black American slaves. Read more.
September 21, 3-4:30pm
The Harriet Tubman Experience with Millicent Sparks
Join re-enactor Millicent Sparks as she performs her interpretation of Harriet Tubman’s monumental life on Sept. 21 from 3pm to 4:30pm at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center. Build a personal connection with the lady of honor! This event is free and open to the public.
Read more.