Designers wrap up first stage of Tubman Park design

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Officials at the Maryland Tourism Office expect the visitor center to open by 2013 – possibly in spring 2012 – coinciding with the state's plans to honor Tubman's life on the 100-year anniversary of her death. The Tourism Office plans to gather public input on the park and exhibits through focus groups and a survey this summer.

Federal legislation was introduced in 2008 to create Harriet Tubman National Historical Parks in Maryland and Auburn, New York – where Tubman spent the second half of her life. The bill enables the federal government to include the Tubman state park in the proposed national park, allowing the National Park Service to co-manage it with the state of Maryland.

Tubman was born in Dorchester County. She was enslaved there during the first 29 years of her life. After she escaped, she returned to the region to ferry enslaved people out of Maryland during the years leading up to the Civil War.