FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
B&O Railroad Museum Launches Next Phase of Its Underground Railroad Exhibit: “Freedom Seekers on the B&O” with an Interactive Student Companion Website
Baltimore, MD – September 19th – On September 26th, The B&O Railroad Museum will
unveil the “Legacy of the Underground Railroad” a Student Companion Website to the
Museum’s Underground Railroad Exhibit: Freedom Seekers on the B&O. This website,
located at https://undergroundrailroadlegacy.org/ is a dynamic and interactive website that
introduces students to original source material about the Underground Railroad using
performing arts. Specifically, each section of the website will be introduced to students
and teachers with segments of an original song “Network to Freedom” written and
composed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and their artist in residence, Wordsmith.
Wordsmith will perform his original song, “Network to Freedom”, accompanied by select
musicians from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on September 26th at 1:00pm at the
B&O Railroad Museum in a free one-hour community concert for students, teachers, and
the general public.
“This website is the next phase of our Underground Railroad exhibit that can be used by
teachers who visit the exhibit with their students as pre-and-post field trip curriculum as
well as by teachers and students from around the world who may not have the chance to
visit our historic site”, said Kris Hoellen, Executive Director of the B&O Railroad Museum.
“We remain grateful to Wordsmith for writing a song that explains the Underground
Railroad to students using a diYerent medium – performing arts – and to connecting the
relevancy of the Underground Railroad to students today.”
“My inspiration for the song was two-fold. With Baltimore being the home of American
Railroading in the United States, I wanted to musically tell the world about our rich history,
intimate real life stories of free slaves passing through the B&O, the importance of the
underground railroad and an historical account of the railroads significance during the Civil
War,” said Wordsmith.
At the heart of this innovative website is the original song “Network to Freedom” by the
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and their artist in residence, Wordsmith, which serves as a
narrative guide through three distinct “movements” or sections of the site. Each movement
provides a deep dive into aspects of the B&O Railroad’s role in Freedom Seekers’ travel
along the Underground Railroad. Students will interact with the recorded performance,
primary source documents, historic maps, and thought-provoking activities that illuminate
the stories of courage, resilience, and hope that defined this critical period in American
history.
Key Features of the Website:
• Movement 1: Birthplace of American Railroading – This section introduces
students to the origins of the B&O Railroad and its significant role in American
history. Through interactive tasks, students will explore the railroad’s early days and
its impact on the nation’s development.
• Movement 2: Railroad of Hope – Focusing on the Underground Railroad, this
movement examines how the B&O Railroad became a vital part of the network that
helped enslaved individuals achieve their freedom. Students will uncover the
hidden meanings in railroad terms, follow the paths of freedom seekers, and engage
with historical accounts of daring ventures.
• Movement 3: Roadmap to the Future – Students will explore the continuing legacy
of the railroad into the 20th century, including the Great Migration and the role of
African Americans in shaping the nation’s railroads. This section also highlights the
struggles and triumphs of Black railroad workers, oYering a comprehensive view of
their contributions to American society.
Teacher Resources and Classroom Integration:
The website provides valuable resources for educators for grades 5 through 8, including
lesson plans aligned with Maryland State Education Standards. Teachers are encouraged
to incorporate these materials into their curriculum to enhance students’ understanding of
this pivotal era in American history.
Acknowledgments:
This project was made possible through the support of the National Park Service, in
partnership with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Wordsmith. It also received a
grant from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
Visit the Website:
The “Legacy of the Underground Railroad” Student Companion Website is accessible at
borail.info/students and is optimized for use on desktop computers for an immersive
experience. Whether used in the classroom or at home, this resource oYers a unique and
engaging way for students to connect with history.
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About The B&O Railroad Museum
The B&O Railroad Museum, the birthplace of American railroading, located in Baltimore, Maryland is a full affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site. It is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American railroading and its impact on American society, culture, and economy. The museum is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment, the 1851 Mt. Clare Station, the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse and first mile of commercial railroad track in America. For further information on the B&O Railroad Museum, please call 410-752-2490 or visit www.borail.org.
