The Underground Railroad Experience Trail is located in Montgomery County, Maryland. It starts at the Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, which has some historic buildings of the sort we'd usually visit but they were closed for the pandemic. We will probably go back to visit again in more amenable times.
The trail is outdoors with signposts identifying various features and giving history of the area. The trail begins at the Woodlawn Manor and Barn.
The home was built in the early 1800s by a Quaker family named Thomas. Dr. William Palmer got the house in 1822 and had Isaac Holland built the stone barn in 1832. Palmer was a Quaker but his membership was revoked because he used slave labor at the farm. The barn is now a museum.
Across the road is the beginning of the trail, a wide greenway next to some horses.
The next posted spot on the trail is the entrance into the woods. Escaping slaves would use the woods rather than open fields as they headed north on the Underground Railroad. The sign said that slaves often ran at Christmas, if they had some time off from work and would not be missed for a few days. Another good time to run away was during rain storms. The rain covered over the trail by erasing both the tracks and the scents that dogs would follow.
The only drawback to the woods was obscuring the sky. The stars were handy for finding the way north.
Further on we discovered a geocache named Happy Hauntings, presumably because the history of the area probably has some tragedy involved. We spent time searching and then gave up. On our way back to the main trail, we came upon the cache!
The next postmark is a bramble patch. Fleeing slaves would hide in such patches or under thorny bushes. Pursuers like dogs, horses, or men avoided such spots.
We found a bench on which we took a little rest.
Another sign warned of a hazard along the Underground Railroad--crossroads! Moving stealthily through the woods might disorient the traveler, especially when the markings for the trail are hidden. Going in the wrong direction could turn into a big mistake!
Another spot in the woods had two features. First, a hollow tree makes an excellent hiding spot, especially at night. A small fire would only be visible from one direction. It's also good for hiding supplies or food. The stone in front of the tree marks the boundary between Woodlawn Manor and Snowden's Manor.
Further down the trail we came across a blocked part of the trail. We assumed some storm damage washed away the trail, making it hazardous.
A period bridge is built over a small creek. Slaves might not be able to swim, turning a large creek or river into an impassable barrier. It was important to know where bridges and fords were located.
Another hazard was an open farm field. Being exposed in the open was not safe. The only time a farm was safe was when the crops, like corn or tobacco, were tall enough to hide people.
At the north end of the field is The Sandy Spring, for which the town of Sandy Spring was named.
The arch over the spring has the date 1745, the year that the local Quakers formed the Sandy Spring Friends Meeting.
The area also has some benches.
An old road leads north to the meeting house (a newer one stands at the end of the road).
The end of the road also has a housing development. Just on the edge of the development is the Champion White Ash Tree. The tree is estimated to be 300 years old, dating back to the time when the first residents cleared the land and founded the village of Sandy Springs.
The trail was not a loop, so we had to walk all the way back to Woodlawn Manor. By the time we got back, new horses were out in the field!
The visit was fun and educational.
The trail is outdoors with signposts identifying various features and giving history of the area. The trail begins at the Woodlawn Manor and Barn.
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| The start of the trail |
The home was built in the early 1800s by a Quaker family named Thomas. Dr. William Palmer got the house in 1822 and had Isaac Holland built the stone barn in 1832. Palmer was a Quaker but his membership was revoked because he used slave labor at the farm. The barn is now a museum.
Across the road is the beginning of the trail, a wide greenway next to some horses.
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| Horse pasture |
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| Guidepost |
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| Having a snack |
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| Can they share? |
The next posted spot on the trail is the entrance into the woods. Escaping slaves would use the woods rather than open fields as they headed north on the Underground Railroad. The sign said that slaves often ran at Christmas, if they had some time off from work and would not be missed for a few days. Another good time to run away was during rain storms. The rain covered over the trail by erasing both the tracks and the scents that dogs would follow.
 |
| The woods |
The only drawback to the woods was obscuring the sky. The stars were handy for finding the way north.
 |
| Explaining the value of the woods and sky |
Further on we discovered a geocache named Happy Hauntings, presumably because the history of the area probably has some tragedy involved. We spent time searching and then gave up. On our way back to the main trail, we came upon the cache!
 |
| In there somewhere |
 |
| Back on the main trail |
The next postmark is a bramble patch. Fleeing slaves would hide in such patches or under thorny bushes. Pursuers like dogs, horses, or men avoided such spots.
 |
| The brambles |
 |
| A nearby bridge |
We found a bench on which we took a little rest.
 |
| Relaxing |
Another sign warned of a hazard along the Underground Railroad--crossroads! Moving stealthily through the woods might disorient the traveler, especially when the markings for the trail are hidden. Going in the wrong direction could turn into a big mistake!
 |
| Crossroads |
Another spot in the woods had two features. First, a hollow tree makes an excellent hiding spot, especially at night. A small fire would only be visible from one direction. It's also good for hiding supplies or food. The stone in front of the tree marks the boundary between Woodlawn Manor and Snowden's Manor.
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| Tree and stone |
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| My son doesn't know what side to be on |
Further down the trail we came across a blocked part of the trail. We assumed some storm damage washed away the trail, making it hazardous.
 |
| A blocked path |
A period bridge is built over a small creek. Slaves might not be able to swim, turning a large creek or river into an impassable barrier. It was important to know where bridges and fords were located.
 |
| Bridge across troubling waters |
 |
| Actually, not so troubling waters |
Another hazard was an open farm field. Being exposed in the open was not safe. The only time a farm was safe was when the crops, like corn or tobacco, were tall enough to hide people.
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| An open field |
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| Walking down the field's trail |
At the north end of the field is The Sandy Spring, for which the town of Sandy Spring was named.
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| Entrance to the spring |
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| The spring itself |
The arch over the spring has the date 1745, the year that the local Quakers formed the Sandy Spring Friends Meeting.
The area also has some benches.
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| Bench |
An old road leads north to the meeting house (a newer one stands at the end of the road).
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| A road north |
The end of the road also has a housing development. Just on the edge of the development is the Champion White Ash Tree. The tree is estimated to be 300 years old, dating back to the time when the first residents cleared the land and founded the village of Sandy Springs.
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| Champion white ash |
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| The top of the tree |
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| The memorial stone |
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| View from the tree |
The trail was not a loop, so we had to walk all the way back to Woodlawn Manor. By the time we got back, new horses were out in the field!
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| New grazers |
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| A view to the farm |
The visit was fun and educational.
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