Harriet Archives - Harriet Tubman Byway

Watch “Harriet,” then experience her homeland

Jill Jasuta2019-11-06T10:47:30-05:00

Have you watched the “Harriet” movie, and now you’re eager to know more about this fearless Underground Railroad hero? One way is to come to Tubman Country on Maryland’s Eastern Shore — the place where Harriet lived the first 25+ years of her life in slavery. Where she forged strong bonds with family. Where she toiled and learned the crucial outdoor skills that helped her escape. Where she started her many missions to freedom. Here you can experience the real (but still remarkable) story, without any Hollywood influence.

Watch the movie and then walk in her footsteps to some of the places mentioned in the film by taking the road trip we call the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, which includes more than 30 sites related to Harriet Tubman and/or the Underground Railroad in Dorchester County and Caroline County, Maryland. The sites include Bucktown General Store, where Harriet suffered a head injury that caused visions and sleeping spells the rest of her life; Brodess Farm, where she lived as a young child; the grassroots-formed Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center (home of the famed Harriet Tubman Mural, which went viral earlier this year); Choptank Landing, where Harriet led her most daring rescues; and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center, which offers a comprehensive look at all she achieved during her 90+ years.

If you’d like to watch the “Harriet” movie here in Tubman Country, it’s playing at Cambridge Premier Cinemas, located right along the Tubman Byway. See the schedule and buy tickets directly through the theater — click on the date and then click on the movie time to buy tickets. We recommend buying tickets in advance. The theater is located at 2759 Dorchester Square, Cambridge, MD 21613, along Route 50 in the shopping center with Walmart. Watch the “Harriet” trailer.

“Harriet” movie trailer inspires nationwide buzz

2019-07-30T14:25:41-04:00

Focus Features has released the trailer for the forthcoming movie, “Harriet,” and people are buzzing about it! The movie, a look at the remarkable life of Harriet Tubman, who was born on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, stars Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman, as well as Leslie Odom Jr. and Janelle Monae. In the first 48 hours after it was released, the trailer had more than 3.6 million views on YouTube. Oprah magazine is already using the word “Oscar.” As Focus Features describes the film: “Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.” It is set to be in theaters Nov. 1.

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and spent more than 25 years toiling here. By taking the road trip known as the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, today you can visit more than 30 spots of historical significance to Harriet Tubman or the Underground Railroad. Visitors to the byway have called the experience moving, powerful, and inspiring. The byway stops include the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, opened in 2017 and run by the National and Maryland Park Services. The byway also includes the Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center in Cambridge, MD, home to the new Harriet Tubman Mural that became a viral sensation earlier this year and continues to draw visitors from far and wide. Other highlights include the Bucktown General Store, the site where Harriet showed her first act of defiance — and ended up injured and almost dying.

(Photo here is from the Focus Features movie poster.)