Before the Civil War, many enslaved African Americans fled to freedom in the North along these secret routes, with great danger to all involved. Born an enslaved woman in Dorchester County, Maryland about 1821, Tubman fled to the North in 1849. She returned many times to lead others to freedom. This byway brings to life the stories along the Underground Railroad on Maryland’s eastern shore.

The Harriet Tubman Memorial Garden

Start your journey in Cambridge, Maryland with visits to several historical sites related to the Underground Railroad including the Memorial Garden.

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Built in 1870 on the site of an earlier church dating from 1847. Harriet Tubman is believed to have lived near Cambridge and may well have attended the first Bethel AME Church.

The Underground Railroad Museum and Gift Shop

Home of the Harriet Tubman organization, a local non-profit advocacy group.

Harriet Tubman Historical Marker

Beside the marker is a lane leading to a house that is on or near the site where Tubman lived as a child. This house was built or moved here in the early 1900s. The prior 32X20-foot two-story house was built between 1820 and 1823 and was the home of Tubman’s owner, Edward Brodess.

Bucktown Village Store  

The store is the site of the first known act of defiance in the life of Harriet Tubman and dates back to the early 19th century. Guided historic and nature tours are available. Bikes, canoes and kayaks are available for rental.

Mount Pleasant Cemetery

In 1849, white Quaker trustees deeded this lot, which included an older Quaker meeting house, to black Methodist trustees. Local historians speculate that this could have been an Underground Railroad “station”.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway