Tubman Visitor Center - Her Whole Life in View

Photo: Ser_Amantio_di_Nicolao, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)

A stop on Harriet Tubman, a free self-guided tour.

This is the heart of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park and the state park that shares its grounds. The low building, opened in March 2017, looks out over fields, woods and marsh that look much as they did when Tubman worked them.

Inside, the exhibits follow her whole life: her childhood and young adulthood under slavery in Dorchester and Caroline counties, the secret networks of the Underground Railroad, her rescue missions, her Civil War service, and her later work for women's suffrage and the aged poor. Faith, family and community run through all of it.

The record on her rescues is clear and remarkable on its own. On about 13 trips back to the Eastern Shore she led roughly 70 people to freedom, and she gave directions to about 70 more who made their way north. Larger numbers you may hear are not supported.

Give yourself time for the film, the meditation garden and the short trails. Admission is free. Recent hours have been Wednesday through Sunday, 10 to 4; check nps.gov/hatu before you go.

Getting here: Head back east on Route 16 to Church Creek, turn south on Route 335 and follow the byway signs to 4068 Golden Hill Road, about 10 miles.

Did you know?: Minty took the name Harriet around the time of her marriage to John Tubman in about 1844; it was also her mother's name, since Rit was short for Harriet.

Photo op: Walk out past the building to frame its long roofline against the open fields and woods.

Nearby: Restrooms, water, a gift shop and parking. No restaurant; bring food or picnic at the outdoor pavilion.

More on Wikipedia: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park · Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park · Church Creek, Maryland

Tubman Visitor Center - Her Whole Life in View

Stops on this tour