"From Slavery to Civil Rights: The African American Railroading Legacy" Public Tour - National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation

Public Tour

On this tour, learn about the legacy of African Americans on the railroad. From the laying of the first tracks and the B&O’s connection to the Underground Railroad, through the Civil War Era and into the Civil Rights Movement, the African American experience has been intertwined with the history of the railroad in a variety of ways.

Included with Admission. Museum Members FREE.

School’s Out Programs

Telegraph Workshop

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 @ 10 am

In this workshop, kids will learn about the connection between Samuel Morse’s telegraph and the B&O.

Register for Workshop

Iron War Horses: B&O’s Support of American Troops Abroad

Friday, October. 17, 2025 @ 10:30 am

This tour will use our historic collection to explore the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad’s involvement in global conflicts like the Civil War, World War I, and World War II.

From Slavery to Civil Rights: The African American Railroading Legacy Tour

Monday, January 19, 2026 @ 11 am

On this tour, we will learn about the legacy of African Americans on the railroad.

Underground Railroad Monoprint Workshop

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 @ 10 am

In this workshop, kids will first learn about the significance and connection the Underground Railroad had in Maryland via the B&O Railroad.

Register for Workshop

On Your Mark, Get Set, LEGO

Friday, March 20, 2026 @ 10:30 am-11:30 am

In this workshop, participants use the engineering process to design and build a car out of LEGOs.

Register for Workshop

Spring Break Scavenger Hunts

Thursday, April 2, 2026 @ 10 am-4 pm

Explore the Museum in a new way! Three scavenger hunts will be available for families to choose from.

Upcoming Events at the Museum

Unlocked: Behind-the-scenes Tours

Sensory Sundays

Unlocked: American Freedom Train (AFT) No. 1

Toddler Time

Unlocked: American Freedom Train (AFT) No. 1

Unlocked Series

Behind-the-scenes tours

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See the newly No. 3316 “Washington” Observation Tavern Car

Now on display in the Roundhouse

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See the newly Restored AFT-1

Now on display on Platform 2

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WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM:

© 2026 National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation.