Harriet Tubman UGRR Byway

Discover the powerful stories of what it took to free enslaved person.

Harriet Tubman was the best known conductor in the Underground Railroad, a secret network of people who helped escaping slaves reach freedom. It was dangerous and illegal work for everyone involved. This dramatic tour leads you along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Using virtual reality, augmented reality and a compelling audio soundtrack, it takes you through landscapes that Tubman knew as a slave and from which she fled as a young woman. Thousands of slaves escaped bondage in years leading up to the Civil War. What made Tubman remarkable was her repeated returns as a fugitive to rescue family and friends.

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway was designated as one of the best driving tours in the nation in 2009 by the Federal Highway Administration for its scenic beauty and significant history. It is one of only 31 distinctive “All-American Roads” nationwide. Meandering through 125 miles of countryside and shoreline in Dorchester and Caroline counties, this self-guided, scenic driving tour invites visitors to experience the region’s Underground Railroad stories in a few hours or a couple of days. In addition to recounting Harriet Tubman’s remarkable life story, the Byway reveals the story of slavery and the pursuit of freedom on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. It weaves through a rare landscape, virtually unaltered for more than a century.

This moving tour brings to life the powerful and exciting stories at the Byway’s sites in Caroline and Dorchester Counties in Maryland. It will inspire you to visit the land of Tubman's birth and experience it for yourself.

Note: This app downloads many mixed reality and audio files. A strong wifi connection is recommended. Depending on the connection, the estimated download time is 10 minutes.