Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Honors Harriet Tubman Through Museum Renaming

Efforts to acknowledge the contributions of African Americans are intertwined with illuminating cultural preservation milestones. For example, The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum, located at 84 Franklin Street in Annapolis, Maryland, is the state of Maryland’s official museum of African American heritage operated by the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture.

The Banneker-Douglass Museum, initially named for Marylanders Benjamin Banneker and Frederick Douglass, has played an important role in documenting, interpreting, and promoting Maryland’s African American history and culture through exhibitions and programs. It opened its doors in 1984 and continues to expand through programming and an inclusive vision.

The Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis, Maryland was renamed the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum (BDTM) in honor of Harriet Tubman on November 1, 2024. Tubman was the well-known “conductor” of the Underground Railroad; abolitionist; Civil War nurse; Union spy; civil rights activist; and humanitarian who self-liberated from enslavement on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

 The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) and the BDTM unveiled the new name of the state’s museum on African American history and culture on Maryland’s 160th Emancipation Day while honoring Tubman. 

“The addition of Harriet Tubman’s name to the museum signifies a pivotal step forward in our acknowledgment of the dynamic history of African American women in Maryland. Tubman’s unparalleled courage and dedication to freedom resonates deeply with our work to preserve and document African American history in the state, and her story must be told. We are proud to honor her alongside Banneker and Douglass,” said Dr. Edwin T. Johnson, Chair of MCAAHC.

Governor Wes Moore signed bills HB390/ SB341 into law to actualize a historic change of the museum’s name on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.  Support from Gov. Moore, legislators, officials, partners and staff from MCAAHC and the BDTM set the stage for the new name to take effect July 1, 2024 in a new fiscal year.

The renaming event entitled “Honoring Our Legacy. A New Chapter: Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Renaming Ceremony” was held at Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum at the beginning of November.

“As the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture operates the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum, working together on this historic renaming event was an extension of our shared missions. We united to uplift Black women’s place in history by honoring the legacy of the museum’s newest namesake, Harriet Tubman, and celebrating the commission’s Harriet Tubman Lifetime Achievement Awards while marking 160 years of emancipation in Maryland,” said Chanel C. Johnson, Executive Director of MCAAHC and BDTM.

The late Nikki Giovanni, activist, author, and poet, provided the keynote address. Paulette Greene and Donna Dear; Carolyn Brooks; and Angela Crenshaw received Harriet Tubman Lifetime Achievement Awards for embodying Tubman’s spirit of activism, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice during the program.

Chanel C. Johnson provided more insight into the museum’s renaming.

“The initiative to rename the museum started in 2023 and was spearheaded by myself and then Chair of the commission, Dr. Edwin T. Johnson and Vice Chair Maya Davis, to reignite our commitment to inclusivity and to amplify Tubman’s legacy in the state of Maryland and beyond.”

Lesser-known facts about Tubman include how during the Civil War, she served as a spy, scout, nurse and cook for the Union Army in 1861 as part of the Massachusetts troops led by Major General Benjamin Butler at Fort Monroe in Virginia. Tubman was the only African American who joined the all-white force. Fort Monroe became flooded with fugitives who were regarded as “contrabands.” Many of them arrived with families and small children. Tubman assisted them and treated wounded and sick African American soldiers.

Additionally, under Union Colonel James Montgomery’s command, Tubman became the first woman to lead a major military operation in the United States on June 2, 1863.

 “She and 150 African American Union soldiers rescued more than 700 slaves in the Combahee Ferry Raid during the Civil War,” according to The National Museum of African American History and  Culture.

Tubman became a one-star Brigadier General during a 2024 Veterans Day ceremony commissioned by the Maryland National Guard on Monday, November 11, 2024. The historic posthumous commission was reinforced by Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s visit to Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Maryland’s Dorchester County to commemorate Veterans Day and to participate in ceremonies honoring veterans.

Black history is American history that offers chances to publicly raise awareness about the accomplishments and contributions of women and men who achieved great things despite oppression. Visiting Black history museums across the United States provides opportunities to pay tribute to leaders such as Tubman, Banneker and Douglass all year.

Learn more about BDTM via https://bdmuseum.maryland.gov and the upcoming Sacred Spaces Exhibition Opening Reception & Black History Month Celebration to be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Register at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/kvf4gdx.