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Reginald F. Lewis Museum

The Things Hold, Lines Connect permanent gallery at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture presents a program that features 200 years of Maryland slavery. A special emphasis is placed on the people and events related to Maryland's Underground Railroad. Its themes of survival against all odds; self-determination to reinforce commitment to one another; the importance of family bonds; and the formation and ties of communities through worship are conveyed with a provocative interplay of oral histories, imagery, music and sounds. The program's title is derived from a quote by poet Lucille Clifton in her 1976 poem entitled "Generations" -- "Things don't fall apart. Things hold. Lines connect in ways that last and last and lives become generations made out of pictures and words just kept." The emotionally charged program shows the poignant difference between those blacks who were free and those who were not. Runaways and other heroes of Maryland's Underground Railroad from throughout the state are featured in the program gallery. They include Josiah Henson, Samuel Denson, Charles Ball, William Parker, Ann Marie Weems, Thomas Smallwood, James Pennington, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

Visitor Information: Currently open to public.

Location: 830 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, 21202

National Park Unit: No

Ownership: David Taft Terry, Ph.D., Ex Dir

Location Type: Program