Celebrating Black History Month
The Portland Freedom Trail

In 2006, community members from Portland created The Portland Freedom Trail, a self-guided walking tour that offers insightful perspective about the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movement from 1829 to 1866. Portland artist Daniel Minter created the markers for the trail and is the founding director of the nonprofit that coordinated the project, Maine Freedom Trails Inc.

The trail begins at the Franklin Street Wharf, where escaped slaves once arrived as stowaways, then leads into downtown Portland, dotted with engraved stone markers that explain the history behind the locations and those involved with helping people escape from slavery. The trail is two miles long, and a downloadable map can be found here.