Maryland Office Of Tourism Receives Grant To Study More Underground Railroad Sites

BALTIMORE, MD (July 14, 2020) - The Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of Tourism has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the 400 Years of African-American History Commission, which was formed in 2018 under the National Park Service to honor 400 years of African-American history in the United States. The grant will fund four research fellows, who will work with the Office of Tourism, the Legacy of Slavery in Maryland program at the Maryland State Archives, and other public and private organizations to study, document, and provide interpretation for additional Underground Railroad sites across Maryland.

“Maryland is the most powerful Underground Railroad storytelling destination in the world and we are grateful for the grant to continue the important research of uncovering the histories of individuals who utilized the Underground Railroad to gain their freedom and others who assisted those fleeing from bondage,” said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. “It is imperative to bring to light the stories of the many currently unknown individuals whose lives were forever changed by the Underground Railroad and to share their stories of determination for freedom, self-preservation, and self-emancipation.”

The 400 Years of African-American History Commission develops and facilitates activities throughout the United States to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Africans in the English colonies in 1619. The commission recognizes and highlights the resilience and contributions of African-Americans from that seminal moment forward, while simultaneously acknowledging the painful impact of slavery, racial discrimination, and racism on our nation.

“We are proud of the work that the Maryland Office of Tourism is doing, and we are honored to contribute,” said Dr. Rex M. Ellis, chair of the 400 Years of African-American History Commission.

Each fellow will conduct Underground Railroad research and complete applications for Maryland sites to the National Park Service Network to Freedom program, a program created in 1998 with a mission to honor, preserve and promote the history of the resistance to enslavement through successful escapes that continue to inspire people worldwide today. The Network to Freedom program helps advance the idea that all human beings embrace the right to freedom from oppression. The program consists of sites and locations with a verified connection to the Underground Railroad. At the end of the fellowships, each recipient will present a free public program about their findings.

“Maryland currently has 85 Network to Freedom sites, research facilities, and programs and we look forward to adding more. The Network to Freedom program helps to tell the stories of all those individuals who fought against oppression and for freedom who are often left out of the national narrative,” said Maya Davis, research archivist for the Legacy of Slavery in Maryland program at the Maryland State Archives. “Thank you to the 400 Years of African-American History Commission for awarding this grant to Maryland in order to recognize the brave men, women, and children whose stories inspire us today to learn from the past to ensure all are treated fairly and equally in the present and future.”

About Maryland Tourism
The Maryland Office of Tourism is an agency within the Maryland Department of Commerce. Visitors to the state spent $18.1 billion on travel-related expenses in 2018. The Maryland tourism industry also generated $2.5 billion in state and local taxes essentially saving Maryland households $1,140 in annual taxes. The industry provided Marylanders with 150,000 jobs. For more information, visit www.visitmaryland.org.

About the 400 Years African-American History Commission
Authorized by Public Law 115-102 signed by President Donald Trump on January 8, 2018, the 400 Years African-American History Commission has been authorized as of October 2018 to plan, develop, and carry out programs and activities throughout the United States; to recognize and highlight the resilience and contributions of African-Americans since 1619; to acknowledge the impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination had on the United States; to educate the public about the arrival of Africans in the United States; and to encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, economic, and other organizations throughout the United States to organize and participate in anniversary activities to expand understanding and appreciation.