Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park
Grand Opening Scheduled in Early 2013

Harriet Tubman National Monument Designation

Cambridge, Md. (July 20, 2012) - Governor Martin O’Malley, Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, and Congressman Andy Harris requested today the establishment of a national monument to recognize the tremendous contributions of Harriet Tubman and preserve the unique landscape associated with her life on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the Underground Railroad.

"Federal recognition of Harriet Tubman, one of our nation’s great freedom and equal rights heroes, is long overdue," said Governor O’Malley. "A national monument designation will further our commitment to share her courageous life story and legacy of justice, and protect the rural landscape of her birthplace on Maryland’s Eastern Shore."

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State Park To Break Ground in 2013

To commemorate the life of a true American hero and historical icon, the Maryland Park Service is opening a new State Park in Dorchester County dedicated to Harriet Tubman. The groundbreaking for the park is slated for 2013, one hundred years after the passing of Harriet Tubman. The park is a direct response to the growing interest by local, regional and national stakeholders and relatives of Harriet Tubman to share the life and legacy of the Underground Railroad’s most famous conductor in her beloved homeland on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The State Park is being designed by the architectural firm of GWWO and Associates of Baltimore, Maryland. The park will consist of a 15,000 square foot Visitor Center, exhibit hall and theater, memorial garden and trails, a picnic pavilion and restroom and administrative offices. The park’s 17 acres adjacent to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge will offer a distinctive landscape of marshes, woodlands and fields that are reminiscent of the backdrop for Harriet Tubman’s early life on the Eastern Shore.

Harriet Tubman was born in Dorchester County in 1822 and escaped slavery at the age of 27 years. She was known to have returned to Maryland's Eastern Shore 13 times and freed approximately 70 enslaved family and other acquaintances. Her abilities to live off the land and lead enslaved people to escape bondage in hostile environmental conditions were forged in these landscapes. Tubman’s associated success on the Underground Railroad stemmed from her intimate knowledge of the area's woodlands and swamps, making the park setting an ideal location.

Visitors to the park will benefit from a collaborative effort with the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The Park Visitor Center and the Refuge’s Visitor Center will be physically and intellectually linked to one another through programming, multi-use trails and roads. The park will also provide an orientation to Tubman and Underground Railroad heritage sites and programs within the county and region. It will be a place to begin a chronological and geographic pilgrimage tracing Tubman’s steps on the Underground Railroad to New York and Canada, also noted as a Scenic Byway.

Future Park Amenities

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park will be a memorable experience for all age levels. Upon arriving at the park, visitors are able to enjoy interpretive trails, a spiritual reflection garden and memorial, picnic pavilion, outdoor exhibits, information kiosk and Visitor Center with an exhibition hall of interpretive exhibits.

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is another unforgettable experience as visitors are guided through the 15,000 square-foot LEED-certified center with state-of-the-art green elements including: a green roof, recycled materials, energy efficient lighting and water conservation devices. The exhibit rooms will immerse the visitor into the life of Tubman, starting with her childhood and following her through her time as a conductor on the Underground Railroad and finally ending with her continuous advocacy for justice. There are also plans for a gift shop to round out the visitor’s experience.

Future Exhibits

The Visitor Center will include an exhibit hall and theater that will tell the stores of the life and times of Harriet Tubman. The exhibits will enable visitors to journey through Tubman's childhood and history first, exploring the landscape of Dorchester County, the experiences she had as a child living in slavery, and the skills she learned that shaped her later escapes. After her childhood, visitors will venture into the world of her daring escapes to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Finally, visitors will learn about Tubman's lesser known later years as a civil rights activist and suffragist.

Interpretive Programs

Through guided interpretive programs and self-guided trails, visitors will understand what it was like for Tubman and other enslaved individuals to live on the Eastern Shore and escape to freedom. They will also leave with a fuller appreciation for her legacy and the natural environment. Private tours and school programs will be developed and available upon request.

Pet Policy

• Pets are allowed in Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park

Scenic Byway Driving Tour

Finding a Way to Freedom: The Underground Railroad is a 125-mile self-guided driving tour that will guide you to the future State Park, which will be located at the mid-point along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. This All-American Road features the homes and home sites, fields and woods, meeting houses, mills and courthouses that illustrate not only Harriet Tubman's life, but also the story of slavery and the pursuit of freedom through the Underground Railroad in Caroline and Dorchester Counties in the 1850s. You can begin and end your tour anywhere along the route. To complete the entire tour, plan on a minimum of six hours, but shorter options featuring specific stories and areas are also options.

Local Caroline and Dorchester County Tourism offices and the State Office of Tourism Development are working to enhance the tour with wayside exhibits. Maps and guides, as well as private tour services, are available from the tourism offices.