Thursday we drove up to Annapolis,
Maryland to participate in a program called Lead On, Harriet Tubman.
It was FANTASTIC!!!!
We were met by a woman who portrayed
Harriet Tubman. She told us stories about her childhood as a
slave on the plantation in a very authentic voice. She was
great! Then we played the part of the run away slaves and she
lead us barefooted into the woods along the Underground Railroad
just as the slaves would have done. We had to hide behind
bushes and keep low. They had CD players all around outside
playing dogs barking. These were the dogs sent out to search
for us run away slaves. It seemed very real. Slave
catchers were also out looking for us. They were yelling at us
and walking out in the woods looking for us. We had to keep
hiding and then run at any chance we got following Harriet. We
were met along the way by a Quaker. Harriet and the Quaker
woman found each other by using owl calls. The Quaker lady led
us further on the trail. We were then left in the woods to
wait for another Quaker lady. She also used an owl call to
find us. She led us to the backdoor of a house where we were
able to quickly eat a bite of cornbread and get a small drink in the
dark before we had to leave again quickly out the back door.
We had to run by more barking dogs and avoid the slave catchers and
then we finally made it to "Canada" and were free!
This was a GREAT learning
experience!! Even though we knew it was all acting, it was
very, very real feeling. Our hearts were beating fast, our
feet were hurting, and the dark, dogs and slave catcher were all
scary. I'd highly recommend that outing to anyone in the area
or to organize a similar experience to those who live far away.
I can't say enough about this experience.
This was Harriet showing us how small
of a space some slaves had to hide in in the bottom of wagons
covered with corn, sweet potatoes, etc. Some had to ride this
way all the way from places like Maryland to New York.
Facts About Harriet Tubman:
She made 19 trips south to lead
slaves to freedom
She never lost a "passenger" that she
lead on the Underground Railroad
She led approximately 300 slaves to
freedom
She worked as a Union spy and nurse
during the Civil War
She helped free approximately 800
slaves in Civil War raids
Slave holders offered $40,000 for her
capture
She was never captured
She died at the age of 93 from
pneumonia
Other Books on
Slavery
