Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
Image credit: picture by krossbow licenced under Attribution License.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park is located in Cambridge, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. It commemorates the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman, a renowned abolitionist and leader of the Underground Railroad. The park was established in 2013 and includes various sites associated with Tubman's life, including the Jacob Jackson Home, the Brodess Farm, and the Bucktown Village Store.

The Jacob Jackson Home, also known as the "Ben Ross House," was the home of Tubman's father and the place where she spent her early childhood. Visitors to the park can explore this site to gain insight into Tubman's upbringing and the conditions of slavery during that time. The Brodess Farm is where Tubman was born and lived as a slave before escaping to freedom. The farm offers a glimpse into the harsh realities of slavery and the bravery of those who sought freedom.

The Bucktown Village Store is a significant site within the park, as it is where Tubman was struck on the head by a heavy metal weight, resulting in a lifelong injury. This event played a pivotal role in shaping Tubman's determination to fight for freedom and her commitment to the Underground Railroad.

Apart from these historical sites, visitors can also enjoy various activities and exhibits at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, which is the gateway to the park. The center features interactive exhibits, audiovisual presentations, and informative displays, providing a comprehensive understanding of Tubman's life and the Underground Railroad.

In addition to exploring the park, visitors may also want to explore other attractions nearby. The nearby Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge offers stunning natural landscapes and abundant wildlife, making it an ideal location for birdwatching, hiking, and wildlife photography. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in nearby St. Michaels is another popular destination, providing a deeper understanding of the region's maritime heritage.

Overall, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Maryland offers a profound historical experience, allowing visitors to connect with the incredible journey of Harriet Tubman and the countless individuals she helped to escape from slavery through the Underground Railroad.

Location

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park is located within the state of Maryland, specifically in Dorchester County on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. This significant historical site encompasses a sprawling area that spans both land and water, including vast marshlands, dense forests, and meandering waterways. Situated near the town of Cambridge, the park stands as a testament to the courage and resilience of Harriet Tubman, who navigated these landscapes to guide enslaved individuals to freedom. Surrounded by the natural, picturesque beauty of the Chesapeake Bay region, the park offers visitors a chance to explore landscapes that were once traversed by Tubman and her fellow freedom seekers, providing an immersive experience into the Underground Railroad's historical significance.

Address & Contact

4068 Golden Hill Road
Church Creek, MD 21622
Driving Directions
Phone: 410-221-2290
Web: Link

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park is during the months of May, June, July, and August. These months offer pleasant weather with average maximum temperatures ranging from 75°F to 88°F and average minimum temperatures between 58°F and 72°F. Additionally, the average monthly precipitation during this period is around 4.4 inches, providing suitable conditions for outdoor activities.

Things to do and learn in Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park are: Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Park Film Museum Exhibits

Topics

Learn about these topics at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park: Tragic Events African American Heritage Women's History Monuments and Memorials Wars and Conflicts Civil War Social Movements Enslavement Voting Rights and Suffrage Civil Rights Reconstruction Religious Freedom Abolition Movement

Amenities

Visitor Centers

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center

Operated in partnership with the Maryland Park Service, this visitor center considers the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman, born a slave here in Dorchester County, Maryland. Tubman escaped her condition of slavery and returned to Maryland to bring more than 70 relatives and friends to freedom using the Underground Railroad network. Experience the landscape that colored Tubman's early life, and explore exhibits and a film to learn more about her compelling story.

Passport Stamp locations

The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center.

Campsites within or near Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park

This park doesn't have any campsites within its boundaries (or we haven't found them yet)).

Hotels within or near Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park

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Days Inn by Wyndham Easton

Located in Easton, Days Inn by Wyndham Easton is within a 5-minute drive of The Third Haven Friends Meeting House and Academy Art Museum. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 7018 Ocean Gateway, Easton, Maryland 21601
Web: Link

Hampton Inn by Hilton Lexington Park

A stay at Hampton Inn by Hilton Lexington Park places you in the heart of Lexington Park, just a 3-minute walk from Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and within a 5-minute drive of Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-in. Planning an event in Lexington Park? This hotel has facilities measuring 575 square feet (52 square meters), including a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 22211 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, Maryland 20653
Web: Link

Extended Stay America Suites Lexington Park Pax River

Located in Lexington Park, Extended Stay America Suites Lexington Park Pax River is a 1-minute drive from Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and 6 minutes from Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, and a safe deposit box at the front desk.
Address: 46565 Expedition Dr, Lexington Park, Maryland 20653
Web: Link

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lexington Park - Patuxent

Located in California, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lexington Park - Patuxent is within a 5-minute drive of Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a business center, and a 24-hour front desk. Planning an event in California? This hotel has facilities measuring 1073 square feet (97 square meters), including a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 22769 Three Notch Rd, California, Maryland 20619
Web: Link

Fairfield Inn Lexington Park Patuxent River Naval Air Station

With a stay at Fairfield Inn Lexington Park Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Lexington Park, you'll be near the beach, just steps from Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and a 2-minute drive from Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Featured amenities include a business center, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 22119 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, Maryland 20653
Web: Link

The Oaks Waterfront Inn

Located in Easton, The Oaks Waterfront Inn is on the waterfront, within a 10-minute drive of St. Michaels Winery and St. Michaels Museum. Featured amenities include a business center and luggage storage. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 25876 Royal Oak Road, Royal Oak, Easton, Maryland 21662
Web: Link

Pax River Hotel

With a stay at Pax River Hotel in Lexington Park, you'll be a 5-minute walk from Patuxent River Naval Air Station and within a 5-minute drive of Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, multilingual staff, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 21847 Three Notch Rd., Lexington Park, Maryland 20653
Web: Link

TownePlace Suites Patuxent River Naval Air Station

In the heart of Lexington Park, TownePlace Suites Patuxent River Naval Air Station is within a 5-minute drive of Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-in. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 22520 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, Maryland 20653
Web: Link

Home2 Suites by Hilton Lexington Park Patuxent River NAS, MD

With a stay at Home2 Suites by Hilton Lexington Park Patuxent River NAS, MD in Lexington Park, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Patuxent River Naval Air Station and Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 46058 Valley Drive, Lexington Park, Maryland 20653
Web: Link

Comfort Inn & Suites

Located in Lexington Park, Comfort Inn & Suites is on the Strip, within a 15-minute walk of Patuxent River Naval Air Station and Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-out. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 21885 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, Maryland 20653
Web: Link

News and Alerts

Date issued Details
2024-08-02Footsteps to Freedom Festival to be Hosted at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park on September 13-14
Footsteps to Freedom Festival to be Hosted at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park on September 13-14 in recognition of 2024 as “Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights” proclaimed by Maryland Governor Wes Moore. More
2023-03-16Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park to host a Book Review on April 1
On April 1, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park will present the program “Ranger Lawson’s Book Review: On Freedom Road.” The free educational program will be held at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, 4068 Golden Hill Road in Church Creek, Md., 21622, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. More