Visitors flock to Md. state park on Harriet Tubman’s life (Photos)

Travelers to Maryland's eastern shore can become more familiar with Harriet Tubman thanks to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor's Center. (Dick Uliano/WTOP) — Travelers to Maryland’s Eastern Shore can become more familiar with Harriet Tubman thanks to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor’s Center. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Vistors Center has welcomed more than 40,000 people since it opened in March according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. (Dick Uliano/WTOP) — The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Vistors Center has welcomed more than 40,000 people since it opened in March, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor's Center is near Cambridge, Maryland -- which is close to where Tubman was born into slavery until she escaped in 1849. (Dick Uliano/WTOP) — The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor’s Center is near Cambridge, Maryland — which is close to where Tubman was born into slavery until she escaped in 1849. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

Once she reached freedom in the north Tubman repeatedly risked her life returning to the eastern shore to lead to freedom about 70 friends and family members including her mother and father. (Dick Uliano/WTOP) — Once she reached freedom in the north, Tubman repeatedly risked her life returning to the Eastern Shore to lead to freedom about 70 friends and family members including her mother and father. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor's Center is Maryland's newest statepark and one of more than 30 stops on the historic Tubman Underground Railroad byway. (Dick Uliano/WTOP) — The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor’s Center is Maryland’s newest state park and one of more than 30 stops on the historic Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

During the Civil War, Tubman worked for the Union Army first as a cook and a nurse, but then as an armed scout and a spy. (Dick Uliano/WTOP) — During the Civil War, Tubman worked for the Union Army — first as a cook and a nurse, but then as an armed scout and a spy. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

After Tubman had rescued her family out of Maryland, she returned to the south and guided dozens of other slaves to freedom in the north and eventually Canada. She eventually began to be called "Moses." (Dick Uliano/WTOP) — After Tubman had rescued her family out of Maryland, she returned to the south and guided dozens of other slaves to freedom in the north and eventually Canada. She eventually began to be called “Moses.” (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

Following the Civil War, Tubman was active in the women's sufferage movement. She died in 1913 in Auburn, New York. (Dick Uliano/WTOP) — Following the Civil War, Tubman was active in the women’s sufferage movement. She died in 1913 in Auburn, New York. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

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CHURCH CREEK, Md — This summer, travelers to Maryland’s Eastern Shore are becoming more familiar with one of the most famous women in American history.

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitors Center has welcomed 40,000 people since opening in March, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The 17-acre park is a stone’s throw away from the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge, Maryland.

It would be familiar terrain to Tubman, who was born into slavery in the area around 1822 and labored there until her escape from bondage in 1849.

Once she reached freedom in the north, Tubman repeatedly risked her own life and freedom by returning to the Eastern Shore to lead about 70 other slaves to freedom, including her mother and father.

The park features exhibits that tell the story of how the former slave became the best known conductor on the Underground Railroad.

It is one of more than 30 stops on the historic Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, which includes the farm where Tubman was held a slave and other significant places in her life and the history of abolition.

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