Underground Railroad Month Program on September 17: Harriet Tubman's Life and Legacy

The program is co-sponsored by Harriet Chapel and the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society

THURMONT, Md.,  August 15, 2022  /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Harriet Tubman's Life and Legacy will be presented at historic Harriet Chapel (Catoctin Episcopal Parish), 12625 Catoctin Furnace Rd, Thurmont, MD at 11 a.m. on September 17, 2022. The program is co-sponsored by Harriet Chapel and the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society and is free to the public (donations accepted). Speaker, Angela Crenshaw with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, is planning a program that will be engaging for all ages. Offered on the anniversary of Tubman's first flight to freedom from enslavement, which took place on September 17, 1849, the event also recognizes Underground Railroad Month (September) and the bicentennial of Harriet Tubman's (c. 1822-1913) birth in 2022.

Ranger Angela Crenshaw will share the story of Harriet Tubman, the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad, who also served as a scout, spy, guerrilla soldier and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War. Her social activism also included participation in the movement for women's suffrage. Crenshaw's one-hour program will feature the centrality of faith, family, community, and nature in Tubman's life's work.

From 10 am. Until 2 p.m., before and after the 11 a.m. presentation, visitors may enjoy tours of the historic church (c. 1828) and may view the Museum of the Ironworker, across the street, or follow the nearby African American Cemetery Trail. The trail starts at the remains of the Catoctin Iron Furnace, which is a designated site on the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

Ranger Crenshaw leads the Maryland Park Service's Interpreting Difficult Histories Team. Currently assigned to Rocks State Park, in 2017 she became Assistant Manager of Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Church Creek, Maryland. There, she excelled at guiding her staff on their journey to becoming effective interpreters of the topic of American Slavery. Her career with the Maryland Park Service also includes service at Elk Neck and Gunpowder Falls State Parks. She frequently works with such groups as Outdoor Afro, GirlTrek, and Girl Scouts, inspiring others through Tubman's example of inner strength, indomitable spirit and will. Ranger Crenshaw holds a master's degree in Energy and Environmental Policy from the University of Delaware.

It is requested that attendees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Mask-wearing is encouraged and may become required depending on the status of the virus at the time of the event. Windows and doors will be open for ventilation.

For more information about the Harriet Tubman program and historic Harriet Chapel, visit harrietchapel.net or contact Rev. Sally Joyner Giffin at (301) 271-4554, [email protected]. For more information about Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, visit catoctinfurnace.org or contact Theresa Donnelly at (443) 629-8661, [email protected].

Media Contact

Pastor Sally Joyner Giffin, Harriet Chapel, Catoctin Episcopal Parish, (301) 271-4554, [email protected]

SOURCE Harriet Chapel, Catoctin Episcopal Parish