Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
Location: Paca Terrace at the William Paca House & Garden, 186 Prince George Street
Time: 2:00 pm (EST) - 3:30 pm (EST)
Join us as Scott Shane discusses his book, FLEE NORTH: A Forgotten Hero and the Fight for Freedom in Slavery’s Borderland. Learn the astonishing story of Thomas Smallwood, born into slavery near Washington, who bought his freedom, became a shoemaker and began organizing mass escapes from slavery from Washington, Baltimore and the surrounding counties. With the help of a younger white abolitionist, Charles Torrey, he took wagonloads of men, women and children into Pennsylvania, urging them not to stop until they reached Canada. And Smallwood wrote about the escapes in satirical newspaper dispatches, an extraordinary work of journalism and literature in which he gave the underground railroad its name.
FLEE NORTH was named one of the best 10 books of 2023 by Publishers Weekly (“This astonishing and propulsive narrative rights a historical wrong by returning [Thomas] Smallwood to prominence. It’s an absolute must-read”) and one of top 20 by Amazon (“Scott Shane’s narrative account is visceral, a stunning feat of historical storytelling as you’re transported into the terrifying life of an enslaved person in 1800s Baltimore”). Henry Louis Gates Jr. called it “riveting” and Taylor Branch called it “a treasure.”
A limited number of books will be available for purchase.
Cost: $5 General Admission to Garden, Free for HA members and children under 3
Accessibility: Visitors with limited mobility can access this program via the driveway of the Paca House. A single use accessible restroom can be accessed by a ramp.
KultureCity® Sensory Bags are available for visitors with sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation.
Click here to lean more: Historic Annapolis is a certified partner with KultureCity® – Historic Annapolis
Cancellation and Refund Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to cancel or alter any programs. Unless otherwise stated, all tickets are non-refundable