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An Evening with Author Jenny Masur

On her latest book on the Underground Railroad

An evening with Jenny Masur, author of "Maryland Freedom Seekers on the Underground Railroad" and "Heroes of the Underground Railroad around Washington, D.C."

In the shadows of well-known figures like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman lie unsung heroes in Maryland whose tales of liberation are essential parts of American history. Jenny Masur, a former National Capital Region Manager for the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, sheds new light on the forgotten heroes of Maryland's struggle against slavery.

Known for her 2019 book "Heroes of the Underground Railroad Around Washington, D.C.," Masur recently released "Maryland Freedom Seekers on the Underground Railroad." This compelling and meticulously researched book explores the major and minor strategies used to escape slavery through the stories of nine people who reached freedom.

These courageous individuals include John Thompson, whose journey took him aboard a whaling ship in search of freedom. James Watkins emerged as a beacon of hope, sailing to England, where he became a prominent abolitionist lecturer. And in the story of Hester Norman, we witness the power of community as she finds solace and rescue in Pennsylvania's Black community. Drawing from a rich tapestry of slave narratives, court cases and historical accounts, Masur weaves a compelling narrative illuminating forgotten chapters of Maryland's Underground Railroad.

Maryland presents a unique backdrop for these narratives. Maryland did not secede from the Union during the Civil War. It remained a slave state that bordered Pennsylvania, where slavery was illegal. While the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 freed slaves in Confederate-held territory, Maryland remained a slave state until November 1, 1864 when a new state constitution finally abolished the abhorrent institution. During the intervening period, federal laws like the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 continued to be enforced.

Masur's extensive knowledge and deep understanding of the Underground Railroad come from her seventeen years of dedicated service with the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. The program honors, preserves and promotes the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight. It includes more than 700 locations in 39 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary lives and untold tales of Maryland's Underground Railroad. A Q&A session will follow the talk.

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