Recently I came across some brochures (this one was published by the Harriet Tubman Underground Railway Byway), and as I was looking at them, I was thinking how if I can't possibly keep up with Annapolis, if I even expanded to Maryland, I'd never learn it all! That's the great thing about learning - no matter how old you get, you can never learn it all. There's always something out there you don't know.
As I was looking at this brochure, I realized I really didn't know much about exactly what Harriet Tubman did. We all learned that the Underground Railroad existed, but really, it's more than a one line sentence in a history book. She was one of the most strongest and bravest people, and the fact that she shaped the lives of so many in a time period of strife was just amazing! The fact that just blew me away was, she's portrayed as this matronly older woman. But she started, and did most of her work, when she was in her mid 20's!!
So I came home and thought I'd share this brochure with you. Please go to www.HarrietTubmanByway.org and check it out. I initially thought I'd scan in this little map, but once I visited their site, shoot, there's no way I can share that all here! They have an interactive map, there's a lot of history, including what she did (or did not) do. While most of the tour is on the Eastern Shore, it would definitely be worth the trip over there to tour a few of the historical sites. The map even lists restaurants, stores and hotels near key spots on the tour.
If you don't want to venture out on your own, and would like to take a tour, there's a list of tour operators on the site too. Those can be found here.
There are 2 different Harriet Tubman Sites. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center (2 Rosehill Place, Cambridge, MD) and the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center (424 Race Street, Cambridge, MD). The Visitor Center is part of the National Park System, while the Educational Centers started in the 1990's by locals to preserve and promote her legacy. The Visitor Center recently opened in 2017.
So if you're like me and wanting to expand your knowledge, head out on the tour. Or take a tour. You'll be glad you did!