The Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center is proud to have recently partnered with Kennedy Thomason, a budding public historian and our very own website facilitator, and her family’s business, River City Cruise Co., based in Denton, MD. Together with Linda and David, they offered four exciting Choptank River educational river cruises to commemorate Underground Railroad History Month. Each cruise, free to the public, explored the essential role the Choptank River played in the story of the Underground Railroad, with insightful commentary from Kennedy and Linda. These cruises brought to life the landscapes and waters Harriet Tubman and freedom seekers navigated as they journeyed toward freedom.
One of the most exciting aspects of these river cruises—and of all the tours we offer—is the chance to directly interact with the places where history happened. There’s something powerful about standing by the water or walking through woods where, over a century ago, people risked their lives for freedom. In studying history, the influence of place and nature is often overlooked, but through events like Kennedy’s "History on the Choptank" river cruises (held twice a month from June to September) and Linda’s immersive walking tours, you get to feel history. The wind that touches your skin could be the same breeze that swept through Tubman’s skirt as she navigated these waters, and the same rough terrain we navigate with modern sneakers is what she and other freedom seekers had to travel over barefoot. The rustling leaves in the trees whisper stories of courage and resilience. These experiences simply can’t be replicated by reading a book or listening to a podcast.
Our next event is the Footsteps to Freedom Walking Tours, led by the incomparable Linda Harris, taking place this weekend! It’s a powerful walking tour through key areas of Harriet Tubman’s life on the Eastern Shore, where you’ll learn more about the paths to freedom many took in their quest for liberty. Register for free today [here](https://www.harriettubmanmuseumcenter.org/book-online) to secure your spot.
While we try to offer free events whenever possible to ensure that history is accessible to all, we also rely on community support to continue providing these programs. Accessibility to history benefits everyone—it enriches our understanding of the past and fosters a deeper connection with our shared heritage. Though not all of our events can be free, we remain committed to offering as many opportunities as possible to experience history firsthand.
We hope you’ll join us soon for Footsteps to Freedom and future river cruises as we continue to explore how the Eastern Shore’s landscape shaped the Underground Railroad and our shared history.
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