This review is for the Underground Railroad Hike at Woodlawn Manor. The guided tour is given from April till the end of October. You can sign up online through WoodlawnManor.org or you can show up 10 to 15 minutes before the 10am start time on selected Saturday Mornings.
The hike can go from two miles up and two miles back, in some cases they may only go 1 mile and give you the choice to continue on the trail. There are bathrooms located at the Carriage House (the visitor center). Here you can pick up free pamphlets and maps that tell you about all the historical sites available throughout the state of Maryland.
We had a group of around 25 people and we took on a trail close by, on the other side of the property. I recommend bringing a light jacket, small snack, and bottled water. Our guide John was very engaging and told us a variety of stories about enslaved people that escaped from Maryland, he answered questions along the way, and had pictures to aid in his presentation.
He asked questions to help us engage ourselves to think how enslaved people would, as we traveled through the woods looking around for clues, sites, and hiding places. I really got the sense of how smart and connected to the landscape you would have to be in order to survive this journey.
I don't want to spoil it for you, but one of the most intriguing people that we learned about was Ann Maria Weems, at the age of 15, she ran away from her slaveholder in Rockville, Maryland, disguising herself as a male carriage driver and escaping to British North America, where her family was settled with other slave fugitives.
The information given is brief, but enough to make you go do your own research. We came to certain landmarks in the forest that would have likely been used as markers for those running to freedom. While this trail is not the actual Underground Railroad, the trail serves as a good example of how an escape route would be devised given the resources needed to hide and camouflage one's self for safety.
A small fee is charged, less than $10. There are outdoor picnic tables available for visitors who want to sit for a while or host their own lunch. They also offer group hikes and field trips. I highly recommend this trek, it is a real eye-opener to the experiences of the African American hero's who lived to tell an amazing story of thier survival and path to freedom here in America. read more