Exploring Black history in and around Maryland: 5 places to visit

Learn about the bravery and perseverance of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. Immerse in Black culture at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Explore the pivotal role of African American soldiers during the Civil War. Finally, pay respect to civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Here’s how:

1. Frederick Douglass Driving Tour

Frederick Douglass was an American abolitionist, writer, and leader of the African-American civil rights movement in the 19th century. This driving tour will take you through the Eastern Shore, Annapolis, and Baltimore, stopping at different attractions along the way. Visit significant landmarks such as the President Street Station, where Douglass escaped slavery in 1838, and the Talbot County Jail, where Douglass was imprisoned after escaping enslavement.

2. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad

Maryland’s legendary and resilient leader Harriet Tubman made it her mission to free enslaved people by helping them escape north through the underground railroad. Learn more about the “Network to Freedom” at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Dorchester, Md., near where Tubman was born. Explore exhibits, artifacts, and a short film to understand her integral role.

3. Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Also known as the ‘Blacksonian,’ the National Museum of African American History and Culture delves into centuries of history. Check out iconic artifacts like Michael Jackson’s fedora and work from artists Charles Alston and Elizabeth Catlett. The Sweet Home Cafe inside the museum celebrates African American cooking, offering a diversity of regional fare.

4. African American Civil War Memorial

Honor the legacy of the African American soldiers and sailors who served and sacrificed their lives to end the Civil War and free over four million slaves at the African American Civil War Memorial. The memorial is inscribed with 209,145 names, the most of any war memorial. The nearby African American Civil War Memorial Museum is currently closed for renovations but plans to reopen in 2024.

5. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Admire the 30-foot statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The memorial offers visitors the opportunity to reflect on King’s role in the  Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and his fight for justice and equality. Down the road, visit the Lincoln Memorial, where King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, marking a pivotal moment in American history.