Inspired Learning Journeys
As part of my continuous learning journey inspired by Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March, a friend and I decided to take a couple of trips and follow specific heritage trails to help us gain a greater understanding of important historical events and figures.
We started with the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway , stopping at several sites along the way from DC into Maryland, and learned about the culturally significant buildings and landscapes we were passing as we headed toward the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center . There, we were able to see the moving mural painted by Maryland-based artist Michael Rosato and learned some amazing details about the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman.
She was born Araminta (Minty) Ross in 1822 in rural Maryland, and took her mother’s name, Harriet, after her successful escape from slavery. She not only made repeated trips south, risking her own safety and freedom, to liberate more than 70 enslaved people via the Underground Railroad, she also served as a cook, nurse, scout, and spy in the Civil War, helping to coordinate a military assault that freed another 700 enslaved people.
We then moved on to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Park which provided even more information about the courage and commitment of Harriet Tubman and detailed how, in her later years, she moved to Auburn, New York and opened a home for the aged and indigent, continuing a lifetime dedicated to social justice and service to her community.
Just next to this national park is also the exquisite Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge , where we saw huge flocks of migrating birds – so if you choose to take this journey bring your binoculars! It was a spectacular sight!
Our next trip was to the historic city of Boston, where we walked the Freedom Trail with a guide who took us on a beautiful walk and educated us on lesser-known historical facts about some of the more well-known figures in American history including, Samual Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock. We followed that with walking the Black Heritage Trail . This adventure started with a brilliant presentation and tour of the Museum of African American History which includes the Abiel Smith School and African Meeting House. As we progressed on the trail, we learned of famous abolitionists, the history of black regiments in the civil war, and information about the thriving community of political and social activists, educators, and community leaders. Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman walked those streets, and spoke in those halls, and the inspiring presentation really made history come alive.
We finished our educational journey by walking the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail of Beacon Hill, which offered information about early abolitionists, suffragettes, pioneers in education, law, architecture, literature, and the arts. The bravery and creativity of these women pushing the boundaries of what was expected and allowed by society to gain an equal voice under the law, opportunities to education, and the pursuit of their professional aspirations is an example to us all.
It is important to educate ourselves about the complexity of the American experience in order to have a more comprehensive frame of reference, and to find inspiration in those that fought for freedom, for our common dignity, and for our democracy. I look forward to more such learning journeys in my future. Onward!