Harriet Tubman UGRR Byway

This scenic, self-guided driving tour highlights 36 sites in Dorchester and Caroline Counties in Maryland that help tell the story of the Underground Railroad “conductor” and American hero Harriet Tubman, who was born here in Dorchester County and led many out of slavery to freedom in the mid-1800s.

The 125-mile Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway is a “National Road,” which means it’s been designated one of the country’s best byways for its historic and cultural value. The Byway’s 36 sites in Maryland include such highlights as the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center; Bucktown General Store, a restored general store where Harriet Tubman nearly lost her life; the Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center, a small, volunteer-run organization that has been preserving and promoting Tubman’s legacy for decades – and is home to the viral sensation of a mural featuring Harriet Tubman called “Take My Hand,” painted by Michael Rosato. There’s also the Dorchester County Courthouse, site of the first escape that Harriet Tubman engineered for her niece Kessiah, and the site of a 2022 bronze sculpture of Harriet Tubman called “Beacon of Hope.”

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway Map & Guide describes all the sites and their locations.  Download the PDFs – click on the right-hand tab, “View or Download PDFs” and you’ll find two separate links to the Map and the Guide.

There is also a very well done Audio Guide that you can listen to as you explore. Download the Audio Guide as a free app. Find out more about the Byway at HarrietTubmanByway.org.