Footsteps to Freedom: The Historic Link Between Sacrifice, Triumph, and the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement

Footsteps to Freedom: The Historic Link Between Sacrifice, Triumph, and the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement

NPS

Event Information:

Date: Friday, September 13 and Saturday September 14
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: 4068 Golden Hill Road, Church Creek, MD, 21622
Venue: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park and Visitor Center
Contact: Tori Shaw Clemmons (443-205-1922) or [e-mail]
Registration: Please click the image to the left or follow the provided link for our online registration form.

Register today for our two-day festival in recognition of 2024 as “Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights” proclaimed by Governor Wes Moore, marking the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as well as commemoration of the annual Harriet Tubman Emancipation Day and International Underground Railroad Month.

Join us for a two-day event of reflection, education, and inspiration as we explore the pivotal moments and heroic figures that have shaped the struggle for freedom and equality.

This event will provide a unique opportunity to delve into the history and legacy of the abolition of slavery and the civil rights movements, celebrating the courage and resilience of those who paved the way for justice.

Join us as we honor the past, recognize the present, and inspire the future. Together, let's walk the Footsteps to Freedom.

 

Highlights of the Event:

Welcome and Opening Remarks by Superintendent Deanna Mitchell: Park Superintendent Deanna Mitchell will provide opening remarks and introduce dignitaries and partners at the beginning of each day over the course of the festival.

Ranger Programs: Hear from knowledgeable park rangers from a diverse crossection of park sites throughout the United States as they discuss the historical fight for equality and how we can all contribute to a better future.

Children's Discovery Zone: Bring your young ones or unleash your inner child with a diverse assortment of youth centered activities at the Visitor Center courtyard and outdoor picnic pavilion.

Workshops and Activities: Participate in engaging workshops designed for all ages, including storytelling sessions, art projects, and educational activities that highlight the importance of civil rights history.

Live Performances: Enjoy stirring musical and living history performances that capture the spirit of the movements and honor those who have fought for freedom.

Conversations and Panelists: Listen to an extensive lineup of high esteemed panelists and presenters as they discuss a host of intriguing topics ranging from broad African American history, to life experiences, and modern civil rights in America.

 

Open Transcript 

Transcript

Save the Date. Historic Footage of the 1963 MArch on Washington, D.C. Footseps to Freedom. Join us for a two day festival celebrating Black History and excellence, from the underground railroad to the modern civil rights movement. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center. 4068 Golden Hill Road, Churc Creek, MD 21622.

Duration:

10.134 seconds

Join us for a two-day festival celebrating Black History and excellence, as well as contributions made to our nation by people of all races from the Underground Railroad to the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement.

 

Partner Quotes:

 

African American Civil Rights Network

Coming soon***

 

Coming soon***

 

National Parks Conservation Association

“The National Parks Conservation Association is honored to join the National Park Service in commemorating Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights." said Senior Regional Director Edward Stierli of the National Parks Conservation Association. "The rich storytelling at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park is a powerful place to experience this history, and we know that Footsteps to Freedom will be an emotionally moving, multicultural, and thought-provoking event for park visitors in the region and from around the world.”

 

National Council for the Traditional Arts

Executive Director Blaine Waide of National Council for the Traditional Arts said, "The National Council for the Traditional Arts is proud to once again partner with Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, this time on Footsteps to Freedom: The Historic Link Between Sacrifice, Triumph, and the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement. The event will bring together a kaleidoscope of musicians, dancers, performing artists, and artisans to commemorate major moments and figures in our nation’s ongoing pursuit of equality and civil rights for all, including the 60^th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as well as the legacies of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. A testament to the deep web of community partnerships on the Eastern Shore, this joyous program will celebrate the region’s contributions to the long journey to freedom, and the deep currents of artistic tradition that have flowed through African American communities for centuries."

 

Chesapeake Conservancy

President & CEO of Chesapeake Conservancy, Joel Dunn said, “Governor Wes More has proclaimed 2024 as Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As we celebrate this milestone, we acknowledge that Black stories, voices and figures are integral to the history of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Honoring and amplifying Black history in the Chesapeake with Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad NHP and other partners is critical to creating equitable, safe and accessible public spaces for all.”