While Underground Railroad tours have been popping up across the United States and Canada the past three years, it’s still not easy to find them.
Some tours are organized by history buffs, comprised of a few people who want to rediscover American or African-American history. Others are geared for senior citizens, the young or whomever has a desire to retrace or visit sites that were a part of the 19th-Century freedom movement.
But finding out who is offering these tours is only part of the solution.
Because most are offered in summer, the peak travel season, planning well ahead is necessary, often three to six months in advance. Part of the preparation includes brushing up on the states to which a tour might take you; finding about the history of commerce and culture that may have existed during that state’s respective era of slavery; or the antislavery sentiment that may or may not have existed.
You also might want to decide what historical element of the Underground Railroad you’d like to focus on; the fugitive slaves; those who aided them; the Deep South; the areas near the Mason-Dixon line; the Canadian fugitives, etc.
The length of these tours vary. In some cases, you might travel by bus for four or five days, sleeping at night in hotels or motels. On other tours, you might travel by van for two or three weeks, sleeping at night in churches, schools, apartments, etc. Prices range from $400 for shorter trips to $700 or more for weeklong tours.
The following organizations or people might be able to help you find the right tour for you:
– The Harriet Tubman Association in Cambridge, Md.; 410-228-0401. This organization was formed to honor and continue the legacy of Harriet Tubman, who escaped from slavery in nearby Bucktown. Staff members often know of other tours and also provide tours themselves of Underground Railroad sites in Cambridge and Bucktown.
– Leon Payne of Sweet Line Tours; 410-666-8131. This tour company offers a mix of tours to Canadian Underground Railroad sites.
– Vera Nicholson, 410-566-3747. She works with Sweet Line to arrange senior-citizen tours across Canada.
– The Underground Railroad Committee of the Niagara Frontier; 716-278-1773. This organization offers a comprehensive, extensive van tour of Underground Railroad sites from the Deep South into Canada.