Harriet Tubman State Park, Center Celebrates Black History Month

MARYLAND — Starting Feb. 1, Marylanders can celebrate Black History Month at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center. There will be free, family-friendly programs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday all month long.

Each Friday – Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28 – programs will begin at 10 a.m., noon and 4 p.m. with a ranger-led introduction highlighting the symbolism of the park and visitor center. At 2 p.m., the program, “The Preponderance of Poverty,” explores the causes of poverty and what can be done about it.

Each Saturday – Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 – everyone can join rangers for “Mancala! Mancala! Mancala!” at 11 a.m. — an opportunity to learn the board game that takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master. Visitors can also create their own game board.

On two Saturdays — Feb. 15 and 29 — the park will feature “Raptors and Reptiles of Dorchester County” at 2 p.m. Since Tubman’s time in Dorchester County, the landscape has remained relatively unchanged; the department’s Scales & Tales program will offer a lesson on the natural landscape and native wildlife she would have encountered.

Each Sunday – Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23 – “Story Time with Mama Mary,” at 11 a.m. explores the concept of self-liberation through engaging storytelling and self-reflection with Ranger “Mama Mary” Dennard. Visitors will enjoy a moment of meditation — and come away with an awareness of how far society has come since Tubman’s time, and how far we still have to go.

The park, located near Harriet Tubman’s birthplace in Dorchester County, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and houses an exhibit hall, immersive displays, a gift store and an information desk. Throughout the month, the park’s expert staff known as “Team Tubman” will lead special programs to honor the life and legacy of the abolitionist and suffragette.