There are endless historic places in Maryland, especially when it comes to the eastern shore area. That's where you'll find the Harriet Tubman Byway, and along that byway is the historic Bucktown General Store. This place has been open since before the Civil War and you can still tour it today. Read on, and consider seeing this fascinating spot in person.
You're in for a wonderful adventure at 4303 Bucktown Road in Cambridge, Maryland.
It is here that you will find the Bucktown General Store which is one of the oldest general stores in the United States.
This old store dates back to the 1830s...
... and it's known as being an important piece of history when it comes to Harriet Tubman.
Sometime between 1834 and 1836, a teenage Harriet Tubman tried to assist an enslaved man inside of the store.
And true to Harriet's nature, she took the enslaved man's side rather than help the overseer re-capture him.
Filled with rage, the overseer threw a two-pound weight, hitting Tubman in the head.
This caused a skull fracture, and she was left with health problems, mainly epilepsy, for the rest of her life due to the blow. And back then, there weren’t hospitals where black people could get the proper care.
Because of the incident that occurred here, Buckman General Store is also known as the place of Harriet Tubman's First Stand.
Although Tubman was hurt in the process, this now historic event is said to have inspired her to keep helping people, no matter the cost.
Today, you can tour Buckman General Store by appointment only, and we recommend a visit.
The store is filled with centuries-old antiques...
...many of which are labeled so you know what their purpose was in the 1800s.
If you have older relatives, they may be able to tell you stories about their family experiences during that time.
Entering the store is like a step back in time, and it's an inspirational place to soak in the atmosphere.
And who knows - you just may walk out of there with a greater appreciation some of Maryland's early history and residents.
You can learn more about this historic general store in Maryland by going to the store website and booking a tour (available by reservation only), visiting the Facebook page, or calling (410) 901-9255.
Have you ever been to the Bucktown General Store? If so, what was your favorite part? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
For more historic landmarks to explore, head to Annapolis. This city in Maryland has historic buildings on nearly every corner, AND every single one on the list is available for tours.
If you’re still in the mood for more Maryland adventures, take a look at this video:
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!