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Exploring Two Capital Cities At the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., you’ll find exhibitions that explore the complex story of slavery and freedom. Visitors see how the actions of ordinary men and women demanded freedom and transformed the country. Elsewhere in Washington, D.C. you’ll find one end of the nearly 200-mile long C&O canal towpath. The path—which runs all the way to Cumberland, Maryland—was used by freedom seekers like[...]

Maryland’s Hotbed of Underground Railroad Support Home to a large free black population, enslaved blacks and sympathetic whites, a hotbed of Underground Railroad support grew in Maryland in the years leading up to emancipation. Many of the nation’s best-known Underground Railroad leaders and abolitionists emerged. Names like Harriet Tubman, the “Moses of her People,” Frederick Douglass, accomplished orator, abolitionist and statesman, and Josiah Henson, whose slave narrative became inspiration for the character Uncle Tom in[...]

For enslaved men, women and children in Southern Maryland, finding freedom through escape and flight from large tobacco plantations was almost an insurmountable obstacle. Abolitionists, Underground Railroad conductors and those who aided freedom seekers were rare, but wherever slavery existed, people yearned for freedom and some persisted in finding it. Those who were ready and able took their chances when unusual circumstances allowed unique opportunities for escape. Thousands fled to British military lines who offered[...]

Annapolis’s history as a successful port and capital city is intertwined with the history of slavery and freedom in America. The work of free, indentured, and enslaved laborers built the economic success of this colonial town. From its earliest beginnings, enslaved Africans were brought to Annapolis to labor for wealthy gentry, planters, businessmen and landowners. The story of captive African Kunte Kinte, who arrived in 1767, was made famous through the book and movie Roots[...]

Home to a large population of free and enslaved Blacks, and sympathetic whites, Underground Railroad support grew in Maryland in the years leading to emancipation. Many of the nation’s best-known Underground Railroad leaders emerged in this environment. These agents and untold more guided Underground Railroad passengers to safety and fought for their freedom. Explore their stories at The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History and Culture and the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum and at the[...]

Southern Maryland’s rolling hills, gentle water-laced peninsulas and sweeping vistas are the setting for this tour through the history of slavery and freedom in Maryland. Uplifted through faith and supported by the love of family, enslaved Marylanders persevered, and some found their freedom. Working on massive tobacco plantations, farms and waterways, many enslaved men, women and children faced harsh treatment. Unique opportunities allowed some to escape oppression by joining military forces: fleeing to the British[...]

Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman—Underground Railroad conductor, abolitionist, Civil War spy and nurse, suffragist, and humanitarian. Born into slavery in early 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland, Tubman rose above horrific childhood adversity to emerge with a will of steel. Owing her success to unique survival techniques honed in the forests, fields and marshes of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Tubman transcended victimization to pursue lifelong dreams of freedom, equality, and justice. Named Araminta, or “Minty,” by her parents[...]

Myths & Facts About Harriet Tubman Myth: Harriet Tubman rescued 300 people in 19 trips. Fact: According to Tubman’s own words, and extensive documentation on her rescue missions, we know that she rescued about 70 people – family and friends – during approximately 13 trips to Maryland. During public and private meetings during 1858 and 1859, Tubman repeatedly told people that she had rescued 50 to 60 people in 8 or 9 trips. This was[...]

Follow the escape route of John Wilkes Booth, one of history’s most notorious assassins, as he fled from Washington, D.C., and hid for several days in Southern Maryland before being cornered. The Civil War was coming to an end and hopes were high that the mending of America could quickly get under way. But on the night of April 14, 1865, thoughts of reconciliation suffered a serious setback. John Wilkes Booth, a Maryland-born actor and[...]