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Experience first-hand a story of courage, heroism and sacrifice
as you trace the path slaves took to freedom through
Delaware along the Underground Railroad. Tour the state’s only
remaining slave quarters. Walk through churches and
homes that provided refuge and shelter for runaways. Learn about
some of the country’s most important conductors and
most influential abolitionists. It’s on display in Delaware
where slaves and sympathizers risked it all to reach freedom.
Railroad Timeline in Delaware
Travel Delaware’s Underground Railroad
1774 – Corbit-Sharp House in built in Odessa, later becomes a
station
1798 – Woodburn (now the governor’s mansion) is built in Dover,
later becomes a station1805 – Camden Friends Meeting House, worship
site of many abolitionists, is built
1820 – First Underground Railroad route established from North
Carolina to Indiana1847 – Samuel Burris is captured, imprisoned,
convicted and sentenced
1848 – Thomas Garrett is put on trial in Wilmington for helping
six slaves escape1849 – Harriet Tubman escapes slavery in Maryland
and becomes a conductor1861 – Civil War begins, Delaware, though a
slave state, remains in the Union
1865 – Civil War ends, 13th Amendment abolishes slavery in the
US
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Central Delaware
First State Heritage Park and Camden Friends Meeting
The governor’s house was once a station with a hidden
tunnel.
Many Quakers meeting in Camden were important early
abolitionists. The Old State House was the site of one of
Delaware’s most important
slavery-related trials.
■ Eat - Roma Italian Restaurant (Dover)
■ Stay - Hilton Garden Inn (Dover)
Southern Delaware
Governor Ross Mansion & Plantation
The property was once one of Delaware’s largest slaveholding
agricultural enterprises, and the grounds are home to the
state’s
last surviving slave quarters.
■ Eat - Jimmy’s Grill (Bridgeville)
■ Stay - Microtel Inn & Suites (Georgetown)
Northern Delaware
Historic Odessa and New Castle Courthouse
Grand homes served as stations less than 30 miles from freedom.
Famous abolitionists, including Thomas Garrett and John Hunn,
stood trial at the courthouse.
■ Eat - Cantwell’s Tavern (Odessa)
■ Stay - Hilton Wilmington-Christiana (Newark)
Wilmington
Wilmington Friends Meeting and Delaware History Museum
Delaware’s greatest station master was a member of this
prominent downtown meeting. Nearby, a new exhibit puts the
state’s black history on display.
■ Eat - Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant (Wilmington)
■ Stay - Westin Wilmington Riverfront (Wilmington)
Hit the Trail
Step 1:
Print out a copy of the trail
passport at
VisitDelaware.com/history.
Step 2:
Explore days gone by in
Delaware. Choose your
stops from three dozen
locations each with a
fascinating story to tell.
Step 3:
Keep an eye out for the trail
logo at each location. Write
down the code next to it on
your passport.
Step 4:
Let re-enactors, tour guides,
plaques and displays take
you back to Delaware’s
yesteryear.
Step 5:
Snap a few photos and
post to Instagram using
#Delagram or Twitter with
#VisitDE.
Northern Region
Central Region
Southern Region
Regional Key
Travel Delaware’s Underground Railroad
Tubman Byway
Starts at the Maryland-Delaware border
Drive through Dover, Odessa, New Castle and Wilmington
Includes significant
locations, like safe houses & commemorative sites