“I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” – Harriet Tubman
Where did Harriet Tubman live?
In her earlier years, Harriet Tubman lived in a small town in Maryland. The farm where she eventually escaped is just over an hour west of Ocean City and 90 minutes southeast of Baltimore, where not much of the landscape has changed. Except for the cars, modern buildings, fast food joints, and gas stations, the waterways and woods look very much the same.
Inner thoughts on the way to the Harriet Tubman Visitor Center
On the drive towards the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center along Route 50, about 20 miles past the Bay Bridge, most of the area is considered rural.
In these parts past every creek, every open field, every dense woodland area, every farm, my mind wanders. I wonder if I’m driving past escape routes, slave owners’ direct descendants, plantations now called farms, or unmarked graves of the enslaved.
Harriet Tubman’s Birthplace
This is the second time I visited Harriet Tubman’s birthplace. The first time I came to Dorchester County was 4 years ago as a guest of the Dorchester County tourism board.
After a brief set of introductions and a tour of the County’s Visitor Center, the Director of the tourism board handed me an itinerary and a map. Equipped with my GPS, I was off to explore some 12 stops in the area that had a connection to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.
It was a solo trip that I will always remember.
As much as I enjoy the company of tourism reps to show me around their area, I appreciated the opportunity to experience the drive along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway at my own pace.
Reflection and connection was what I was looking for and going at it solo was what I got. Hypnotized and entrenched in my tour, my mind raced through a maze of varying emotions.
I stood on the road outside Brodess Farm, the plantation from which she escaped. Listening to the trees, I was convinced that eyes were watching me. Honestly, I felt like the souls of dead folks were staring from the open fields on either side. No lie, and no dramatics. A bit overwhelmed, I took a deep breath and headed back in my car to explore the rest of Harriet’s hometown.
This article I wrote on 10Best USA Today highlights the places where I stopped in Harriet Tubman’s birthplace. It’s a good itinerary to follow (in order) for an immersive experience. I provide historical relevance to each stop. For quick reference, here is the list (and a few extras) complete with addresses: Dorchester County Visitor Center – 2 Rose Hill Place Cambridge, MD 21613 Dorchester County Courthouse – 206 High Street Cambridge, MD 21613 Stanley Institute – MD Route 16 Cambridge, MD 21613 Bucktown Village Store – 4303 Bucktown Road Bucktown, MD 21613 Kay’s Restaurant (For Lunch) Linchester Mill – Route 331 and Linchester Road Preston, MD 21655 Brodess Farm – Greenbriar Road Choptank Landing – Choptank Road at Choptank River Preston, MD 21655 Mt. Pleasant Cemetery – 22446 Marsh Creek Road Preston, MD 21655 Webb Cabin – Grove Road Preston, MD 21655 Caroline Courthouse – Courthouse Square 109 Market Street Denton, MD 21629 Tuckahoe Neck Meeting House – Meeting House Road Denton, MD 21629 Choptank River Heritage Center – River Landing Road, Denton, MD
At the time that I visited, there was no Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center so I almost want to suggest that you visit the other stops first and then come back to the visitor center. It depends on how you want to experience Harriet Tubman’s legacy in the area. Either way you go about it, you won’t be disappointed.
Here are just a few pictures from the new #HarrietTubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Dorchester, MD. Truly an amazing immersive experience. #Maryland #culturaltravel #heritagetravel #historyplace #familytravel #blackgirlstravel #igtravel #blackhistoryeveryday #localtravel #justgo #inspire #lovetravel #igers #ighistory A post shared by Tawanna B. (@tawannabsmith) on
Honestly, it’s a trip that every American should take to learn about a true American hero. Harriet being a black woman should not relegate her to only being celebrated by African Americans or during Black History Month.
Thank goodness there are some who feel the same way. In Maryland March 10th has been designated as Harriet Tubman day.
Should it be limited to Maryland? I don’t think so. One New York Post writer agrees. As a native New Yorker who now resides in Maryland, I appreciate that.
Harriet Tubman Day is important to all of us.
She helped change the course of history for many Americans and her contribution deserves national recognition. No other American has served a people or a country in such a selfless manner.
To learn more about Harriet Tubman and to keep up with various stories and initiatives related to her legacy, check out my Flipboard magazine dedicated to her:
What an incredible route – I had no idea about much of it. Thank you, as always, for teaching and inspiring. We’ll definitely need to visit when we’re out that way next.
Most people don’t Jessie. There’s so much fascinating history that hasn’t been documented but thankfully states like Maryland are doing a great job of changing that. Parts of the drive you will feel like you’re stepping back in time. Worth the trip!
I like that you can self-guide your own tour – makes for more reflection and pause. Thanks for sharing!
Yeah self-guided is the best way in my opinion. I know that people like to go on bus rides and guided tours but for an experience like this, you wanna go on your own.
Undoubtedly, this would be a profoundly moving experience for me as well. To walk in the footsteps of so many who escaped to their freedom is almost unfathomable and to see the very plantation that she fled from. Wow, I really need to see this one day. Thank you for such an inspiring and eye-opening post.
Yeah, I think anyone with an inkling of a moral compass would be moved visiting her birthplace. Hope you can put it on your list to visit one day.
Thank you for sharing your insights into Harriet Tubman’s life. Your storytelling helped bring the history of the place alive. It is amazing how one person can make such a big difference. It is a lesson we all should learn and live by.
In this day and age, it’s an important story for us all to revisit.
What a moving thing for anyone to do with their family, but especially for a black family, and especially now.
Absolutely. Thanks for your comment.
SO good to learn all this about Harriet Tubman and where to learn about her! Absolutely fascinating, and so important.
Yes. Teaching and travel opportunity for children and adults!
What wonderful insight you share on an incredibly important woman and time in history. For all we go through today, I don’t know if any of us could imagine taking on what she did to fight for freedom and shift the course of history.
We could all learn from this kind of bravery.
Thanks for sharing Tawanna.
Love,
Arial
Thank you Arial. She is such an important figure in history and I’m glad to share her story, her birthplace, and my experience visiting it with the world.
Great share very informative. I found you on Mom Bloggers following 🙂
Nice to meet you Mari! Thanks for stopping by!
While reading this I began to cry. This destination, for me, will take place very soon. I got goose bumps when you stated that you felt that the souls of dead folk were staring at you – I can’t imagine living and surviving in such an era. Only through the grace of God our ancestors did, and I am truly grateful for them. Thank you for sharing this post for which I’m going to share with others.
It can be a very moving experience Kristine. Please come back and let me know how your experience was after you’ve visited the area. Much love for sharing with others!