September 1 – Jubilee Voices at Underground Railroad Month

Jubilee Voices at Josiah Henson Cabin.

The Legacy of the Underground Railroad

The State of Maryland and Montgomery County Parks & Recreation commemorate the start of the third annual International Underground Railroad Month with a special ceremony at Josiah Henson Park and Museum, site of the Josiah Henson Cabin.

The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices performs several musical offerings throughout this virtual event, which also features addresses by State and Local dignitaries, as well as special presentations by International Partners, including a virtual visual journey from the Josiah Henson Park to Henson’s church in Dresden, Ontario (Canada), and finally to his memorial behind the church.

Maryland governor Larry Hogan proclaimed the very first International Underground Railroad Month in September 2019. In 2020, the Maryland Office of Tourism worked with the National Park Service Network to Freedom program and Michigan Freedom Trail Commission to expand International Underground Railroad Month. In 2020, 11 states, 5 counties, and 3 cities had official proclamations. In 2021, the United States National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) joined with Maryland Office of Tourism, NPS Network to Freedom, and Michigan Freedom Trail Commission to further expand International Underground Railroad Month.