43 Center for African American Heritage at the Delaware History Museum 504 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE 19801 302-655-7161 www.dehistory.org Exhibits Guided Tours The Wilmington campus of the Delaware Historical Society features the stories of the Underground Railroad in two main locations, Old Town Hall and the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage. The Mitchell Center offers an exhibition, “Journey to Freedom,” featuring the stories of the Underground Railroad in Delaware, including freedom seekers and conductors like Harriet Tubman, Quaker abolitionists like Thomas Garrett, and courageous African Americans who risked their lives to help others to freedom. The Center presents the story of African Americans’ struggle for human rights and dignity in Delaware and the nation. Two thematic sections, “Slavery in Delaware and the Struggle for Freedom” and “Beyond Bondage—Breaking Down Barriers,” introduce key Delaware figures and experiences, from the founding of African Methodist churches to the Brown v. Board of Education decision and beyond. Abolitionists’ meetings were once briefly held at the Old Town Hall. The Town Hall’s jail cells were used to confine captured freedom seekers before they were returned to their enslavers. Tours are available. The Delaware Historical Society, a National Park Service Network to Freedom facility, has restored and preserved these historic buildings, allowing them to host educational programming where visitors can further explore the Underground Railroad. A view from Market Street shows Old Town Hall and the Delaware History Museum. The Mitchell Center for African American Heritage includes oral history videos, music, poetry and thought-provoking artifacts. Next Site Head South on N Market Street. Turn right onto W. 5th Street and right onto N. Orange Street. Turn left onto W 12th Street/DE 52 and continue onto Delaware Avenue. Bear left onto Pennsylvania Avenue/DE 52 N, which is the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway. Continue across the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania and follow the byway toward Longwood Gardens. To get information about Underground Rail-road sites in Kennett Square and the region, go to the Brandywine Valley Visitors Center at Longwood. To do so, turn left heading south on US Route 1, then right onto Green-wood Road. The center is located at 330 Greenwood Road, Kennett Square. To continue to Philadelphia, return to US 1 N and travel to US 322 E. Turn right onto US 322 and follow to I-95-N. Travel toward Philadelphia and exit left on I-676 Indepen-dence Hall/Callowhill St. Exit. Follow signs to Independence Hall to turn left on 6th Street and left to 520 Chestnut St. Previous Site To Tubman Garrett Park: Head southwest on N Market St toward E 5th St. Pass under the rail viaduct, and turn left onto Rosa Parks Drive. Park in the first lot on the right, and the park is adjacent to the lot to the east. 48 Downtown Wilmington’s cultural district offers music and entertainment venues, such as the Queen Theater and the Grand Opera House as well as award-winning restaurants and more.
Harriet Tubman Guide 2019 Harriet Tubman Guide: Page 48
