Maryland Unveils Virtual Museum Dedicated to the Home of Harriet Tubman's Father

Maryland's Department of Transportation (MDOT) unveiled a new virtual museum displaying artifacts unearthed from the former home of Ben Ross

A new virtual museum has been unveiled by Maryland's Department of Transportation (MDOT), showcasing artifacts unearthed from the former home of Ben Ross, the father of renowned abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Situated in the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Dorchester County, the site offers valuable insights into Tubman's early life and the environment in which she was raised.

As reported by CBS News, archaeologists discovered the site in 2021 following a search that utilized historical documents to pinpoint the location. A team of archaeologists systematically excavated 1,000 holes along a historic road, finally uncovering an 1808 coin and fragments of 19th-century ceramics.

Upon further digging, they detected the outlines of bricks, window glass, and nails, confirming the remnants of Ben Ross's home.

"The Maryland Department of Transportation is proud to highlight the state's untold stories from Ben Ross' home and share these artifacts with the world through our new virtual museum," said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld.

The virtual museum, accessible via MDOT's website, invites the public to explore artifacts such as buttons, spoons, dishes, and remnants of meals, providing a tangible connection to the Ross family's daily life two centuries ago.

"This virtual museum is an interactive and educational tool that teaches the public about the archaeological discoveries from Ben Ross' homeplace," said Dr. Julie Schablitsky, MDOT's Chief Archaeologist. "The webpage is very visual and accessible, and would make an excellent addition to school curricula."

Over the past four years, MDOT archaeologists have meticulously processed hundreds of artifacts recovered from the marshy soils surrounding the homestead. As the agency highlights, these findings help deepen the understanding of life 200 years ago.

Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman spent her teenage years living with and working alongside her father at the very site. After gaining his freedom in 1840, Ben Ross became a timber foreman, overseeing the cutting and hauling of trees. Tubman self-liberated in 1849 and famously returned to Maryland's Eastern Shore approximately 13 times, leading around 70 enslaved individuals to freedom along the Underground Railroad. She also returned to escort her parents north when Ben Ross fell under suspicion for his involvement in liberation efforts.

The virtual museum, created in collaboration with Tubman descendants and the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, goes beyond showcasing the Ross family artifacts. It features photographs, 3D models, and intact examples of certain artifacts with detailed descriptions.

Moreover, pre-contact artifacts associated with the Nanticoke Indians are displayed, expanding the narrative to include the region's Native American history.

"Pieces of plates, pitchers, bowls, and more found at the site of Harriet Tubman's father's home give us more insight into how the family lived two hundred years ago," said Secretary Wiedefeld.

The location of Ben Ross's home is within the wetlands of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and is not open to the public. With the threat of rising sea levels looming, this site is projected to be permanently submerged in the coming years.