Harriet Tubman: American Hero
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad History in Dorchester County, MD
Harriet Tubman's story begins right here. Born into slavery in 1822 in Dorchester County on Maryland's Eastern Shore, she spent nearly three decades learning the land, developing the navigation and foraging skills she would later use to guide dozens of freedom seekers to safety. This is where it started.
Today, more than 30 sites along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway preserve that history. From a state-of-the-art visitor center to the actual fields and crossroads where Tubman lived and escaped, this is one of the most significant heritage destinations in the country.
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center
Located in Church Creek, MD, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center features 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits surrounded by the same unspoiled marsh landscape Tubman navigated. Opened in 2017, it drew nearly 100,000 visitors in its first year alone, from every U.S. state and more than 70 countries.
Address: 4068 Golden Hill Road, Church Creek, MD 21622
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Closed Mondays & Tuesdays)
Admission: Free (donations accepted)
Exploring the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway
Dorchester County is the starting point for the 128-mile Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, a self-guided driving tour that moves north through Delaware and ends in Philadelphia, where Tubman first reached freedom.
Essential Stops on the Byway
- Bucktown General Store: Where a young Tubman first defied authority and nearly lost her life after being struck by a metal weight thrown at another enslaved man.
- Brodess Farm: The land where Tubman spent her childhood under slavery.
- Dorchester County Courthouse: Home to the "Beacon of Hope" Harriet Tubman sculpture on grounds where slave auctions once took place.
- Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center: Located in downtown Cambridge, featuring the moving "Take My Hand" mural on its exterior wall.
Plan Your Visit to the Tubman Byway
Everything you need to explore the full trail is on the Harriet Tubman Byway website. Download the free Tubman Byway Map & Guide, access the free Audio Guide with virtual reality features, or browse available guided tours if you want a deeper experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Harriet Tubman born? Harriet Tubman was born in 1822 on the Brodess Farm in Dorchester County, Maryland, on the state's Eastern Shore.
How long is the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway? The driving tour is 128 miles. It begins in Dorchester County, passes through Delaware, and ends in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Is the Harriet Tubman Visitor Center free? Yes. Admission is free for all visitors.
What did Harriet Tubman do during the Civil War? Tubman served as a scout, spy, and nurse for the Union Army. She became the first American woman to plan and lead an armed military raid, the Combahee Ferry Raid, which liberated more than 700 enslaved people.
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