British Black History Month Celebrating Harriet Tubman 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇨🇦

OCTOBER IS BRITISH BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Jack & Jill of America, Inc. National Harbor Chapter Jade & Jaguars 4th & 5th Graders celebrated British Black History by traveling the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad (HTURR) Byway in Maryland on Saturday, October 14, 2017. The Black British chose October because it the start of the school season for children. It instills a sense of pride in the school children to learn about the achievements of Black people at the beginning of the school year. It is easier for the school children to visit and participate in events which celebrate Black History.

Jack and Jill of American Inc Jade & Jaguars 4th & 5th Graders visit HTURR

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway encompasses a total of 30 sites in Maryland and Delaware. Some of these sites include the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, Harriet Tubman’s Childhood Home, Harriet Tubman Museum, Stanley Institute, and Handsell.

Harriet Tubman an African American woman and  international hero. She  lived in both the United States and Queen Victoria’s British Canada. Harriet Tubman was a citizen of both countries who made 19 trips from the United States  to Canada with freedom seekers.

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery as  Araminta Ross (Minty)  in Dorchester County, Maryland in March of 1822. Her mother was Ritt and her  father was Ben Ross who became a free man in 1840.  She escaped from slavery in 1849 fleeing Maryland to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While there Harriet met Underground Railroad Agent William Still, a free black man who ran an office that helped those escaping slavery. She became a conductor on the Underground Railroad. William Still recorded 1,000 freedom seeker stories in his book “The Underground Railroad” which was published in 1871.

Harriet Tubman moved the base of her Underground Railroad to St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Harriet Tubman lived there from 1851 to 1858. Harriet Tubman longed for her family so she returned to Maryland to help her family and friends escape to freedom. Harriet helped her 3 brothers Robert, Ben and Henry to escape to freedom on Christmas Day 1854. They traveled through Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York to St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

Harriet’s father, Ben Ross was also an agent on the Underground Railroad. In March of 1857, Ben helped the Dover 8 escape slavery. The famous “Dover Eight” made national headlines on March 8, 1857  when they escaped from Dorchester County, Maryland. The 8 men received help from Rev. Samuel Green in East New Market. Next they got help from Harriet father Ben Ross. Next they for help to Thomas Otwell, a black Underground Railroad conductor in Delaware. Instead of helping the 8 escapees, Otwell lured them to the Dover jail so he could collect the $3,000 reward for their capture. However, the 8 black men broke out of the jail and fled to Wilmington, Delaware. Next they made their way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and finally Canada.

Harriet heard that her father was going to be arrested for helping the Dover 8 escape. Harriet hurried to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in March of 1857 to rescue her parents. Harriet drove her parents in a one axle wagon rigged to a horse toward Delaware. They made their way to St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada with the help of Underground Railroad agents.

Harriet Tubman received a letter, Diamond Jubilee Medal, and a Silk and lace shawl  from Queen Victoria in 1897. Harriet said: “It was when the Queen had been on the throne 60 years, she sent me the medal. It was a silver medal about the size of a dollar. It showed the Queen and her family. The letter said, ‘I read your book to her Majesty, and she was pleased with it. She send you this medal.’ She also invited me to come for her birthday party, but I didn’t know enough to go. The letter was worn to a shadow, so many people read it. It got lost somehow or the other. Then I gave the medal to my brother’s daughter to keep.” Queen Victoria was quite pleased after reading Harriet Tubman’s narrative which was written by Sarah H. Bradford to raise funds for Harriet’s Home for the Aged in Auburn, New York. Harriet Tubman's Shawl gifted by Queen Victoria is on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Jack and Jill of American Inc National Harbor Chapter Moms meeting Harriet Tubman's niece Peggy Ross

The 4th & 5th Graders and their Moms learned stories and more of Harriet Tubman as an international hero. The group journeyed from the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center for Handsell in Vienna, Maryland to  experience living history storytelling by Inalienable Rights troupe at Handsell.

In celebration of Dorchester County’s rich African American heritage, the “Slave Dwelling Project Comes to Dorchester” will bring attention to little known county historic structures that once served as dwelling houses, churches or other cultural and utilitarian uses in the lives of African Americans. This project will feature Joseph McGill of the Slave Dwelling Project and “Inalienable Rights”, a living history troupe representing enslaved African Americans of the 19th century.  Combined participants will sleep overnight at the Bayley House Slave Cabin in Cambridge and then in the Handsell Slave Chamber in Vienna.  With an impressive group of partners, the project will also provide an opportunity for the public to have discussions guided by members of Coming to the Table about the history and legacy of enslavement in the United States.  The weekend includes multiple events at various sites around the county, discussions led by members of the National Coming to the Table organization, living history re enactors, music and other historic demonstrations suitable for visitors of all ages.

Jack and Jill of America Inc. is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2-19, dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty.

Founded in October 2010, National Harbor Chapter has 58 Mother members. They are dedicated to maintaining a standard of excellence in serving our community of Prince George’s County. Some of their signature events include, Trike and Bike Health Fair, 5k and Young Men’s Summit.

Becoming National Park Junior Rangers

Harriet Tubman Tour w/ Jack and Jill America Inc National Harbor Chapter

DMV Black History Field Trips organized the tour for Jack and Jill of America Inc. National Harbor Chapter. DMV Black History Field Trips  provides Narrated Step-on Guided Bus Tours in the Washington, DC Area. They are an Official Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway Certified Host . They also partner with the National Park Service to provide Ranger Guided Tours of Historic Landmarks.