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Two hundred years ago Harriet Tubman was born enslaved on a farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in the United States. The exact date of her birth is unknown, but consensus is sometime between 1820 and 1822. She died March 10, 1913, at about age 90, in Auburn, New York.
Kicking off today and throughout 2022 events in Maryland will trace Harriet Tubman's footsteps and highlight her fight for freedom.
Today we are talking with Sarah Jackson, the mom behind the Instagram site 4DMVKids, and Ranger Cierra, a park ranger at the Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Church Creek, Maryland. It is run by the National Park Service and commemorates the life of former enslaved Harriet Tubman. The park has a visitors’ center, a history museum, and, according to Sarah, an awesome, price-friendly gift shop. There is a statue of Harriet Tubman sitting on a bench in the visitor center, and as Sarah’s son discovered, the perfect location for a picture to remember your day at the park.
Check the links to these events at this site:
https://harriettubmanbyway.org/bicentennial-events/
Programs and events scheduled for the anniversary weekend include:
Friday, March 11:
7 p.m. – Virtual Premier of “Rooted Wisdom: Nature’s Role in the Underground Railroad”
This film chronicles the experiences of freedom seekers’ journeys through the wilderness. The documentary film will stream live on Friday, March 11 at 7 p.m at naturesrole.org. The virtual event is free and open to all, though registration is encouraged at bit.ly/RootedWisdomPremiere. A panel discussion with historians and filmmakers will follow.
Following the premiere, the film will be shown in the multi-purpose room every hour at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. throughout the celebratory weekend.
Saturday, March 12:
10 a.m. – Opening ceremony featuring a living history interpretation by Millicent Sparks
11 a.m. – “The Discovery of the Ben Ross Homesite”
Hear from Dr. Julie Schablitsky of the Maryland Department of Transportation about the successful effort to locate and excavate the homesite of Ben Ross. The artifacts are on display for the first time at the Visitor Center for the entire month of March.
12 p.m. – “Foraging Freedom: Experiencing the Natural World of the Underground Railroad”
Join an interactive walking tour with historian Anthony Cohen through the Legacy Garden and adjacent Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Participants should expect to be on their feet and are encouraged to wear comfortable all-weather shoes.
1 p.m. – “Jubilee Voices at Harriet’s House”
Hear the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices during the Tubman 200th festivities. Jubilee Voices is an ensemble that is committed to the preservation of African American history and traditions through songs and storytelling.
2 p.m. – “The Education of Harriet Ross Tubman”
Kate Clifford Larson, a Tubman biographer, discusses the free and enslaved people who helped raise, protect, nurture, and educate Minty to become the woman we know as Harriet Tubman.
3 p.m. – “‘Designing a New Place to Experience History: An Exploration of the Architects”
Listen to Chris Elcock, associate principal of the architecture firm GWWO Inc., as he explains the design process behind creating the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center
Sunday, March 13:
10 a.m. – “Meet Harriet Tubman”
Living history interpreter Millicent Sparks performs as Tubman and shares her monumental life with audience members.
11 a.m. – “The Hidden Chesapeake Through Harriet Tubman’s Eyes”
Kate Clifford Larson, a Tubman biographer, shares about some of the places around the Chesapeake Bay that bear witness to the histori...
