Effective 5/1/2021, The Underground Railroad Experience Day Tour has been discontinued by DRS, until further notice. If you are interested in booking Eric "Mubita" Sheppard as a guest speaker (virtual or in-person) to present on Moses Grandy & the Great Dismal Swamp Maroons, please email Eric at [email protected] for more information. All speaking events will be booked under our new company, Mubita LLC. Please visit www.Mubita.net for more information.
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| This tour is an official Natl Park Service Underground Railroad "Network to Freedom" Program |
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The Underground Railroad Experience:
Moses Grandy, Charles Grandy & the Road to Freedom
(A National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Progam)
Are you looking for a great cultural heritage history experience for your upcoming family reunion, church or organize outing, youth group, team building program, etc.? Look no further!!!
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Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc. (DRS) invites you to join us for our day tour called “The Underground Railroad Experience: Moses Grandy, Charles Grandy & the Road to Freedom.” Come learn about the "History in our own backyard" while traveling with us throughout Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina to key points along the Underground Railroad and other historical locations. Points of interest will be places* named in the famed Moses Grandy 1843 slave narrative and the Federal Writers' Project slave narrative of Charles Grandy, both with roots in the Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina areas. A major site included in the tour is the Great Dismal Swamp Canal at the Dismal Swamp State Park and Visitors Center in South Mills, NC. In 2004, the 208-year canal was designated as a National Park Service Network to Freedom Underground Railroad site, and is the only designated UGRR site in two states (VA/NC).
Additional tour sites include the Great Dismal Swamp Canal Trail and Moses Grandy Trail byway in Chesapeake, VA, Emanuel AME Church in Portsmouth, VA with a presentation on the history of the church's UGRR as related to the Civil War, and Norfolk Waterfront. The day will end with a tour of the Moses Myers House in Norfolk. Moses Myers was a prominent Jewish business man and community leader in Norfolk during the late 18th century/early 19th century. Moses Grandy tells of their relationship in his slave narrative. Other historic sites are available for your customized tour and an optional lunch can be added at for additional cost.
*Sites subject to change depending on tour day availability.
Who should take our tour?
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History buffs (genealogy groups, historicial society groups, etc.)
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Travel enthusiasts and tour groups
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Students (middle school, high school, college)
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Teachers
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Senior citizens
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Community and youth group members (senior citizens group, churches, civic, social, fraternities and sororities)
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Family reunion groups
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Anyone interested in learning more about the UGRR and slavery in Hampton Roads/Northeastern NC areas
All tours must be booked as a group and groups are permitted to provide their own transportation for the tour. The minimum number of people required to book a group tour or have a step-on guide for your own charter is 35. If DRS arranges the bus transportation for a tour, a service fee may apply to bookings less than 45 people. A sign executed contract and deposit are required to secure a tour date. Special incentives are being developed for group tour leaders. Please call for details. DRS retains the sole right to accept or refuse any bookings and/or registrations not in accordance with its company mission or risk assessment.
If you are interested in booking our tour, please download the tour description flyer and complete the group interest form below to receive a price quote. For more information on group bookings, contact Lisa Sheppard, Tourism Director at (757) 675-2062 or by email at [email protected].
Time: 4-6 hours (depending on how many tours sites)
Pickup Location: To be determined group
Note: It is recommended that you read the Moses Grandy and Charles Grandy slave narratives prior to taking the tour. A link to the online version can be found above.
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Please read terms and conditions before signing your booking contract or registering: I/We have read all information pertaining to the DRS bus day trip program and I understand and recognize the dangers and hazards inherent in travel itinerary by registering. I/We also understand that all registration fees are NON-REFUNDABLE should I register and not be able to attend. If the tour is cancelled by DRS for reasons beyond their control, i/We will be offered the option of transferring our registration fees to a future available date or receiving a full refund within 30 days of the scheduled tour date. I/We hereby state that I/We have no physical condition that would limit anyone in my group the ability to participate. I/We, my/our heirs, estate and personal representatives agree to release DRS from liability and will hold harmless, indemnify, release and discharge DRS officers, directors, employees, agents and insurers from and against any and all claims, demands, actions or causes of actions on account of any damage, personal injury, including death, that may result from my participation in this program. By registering, I/We agree to all legal terms and conditions.
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ARE YOU A TEACHER AND NEED LICENSURE RENEWAL POINTS?? TAKE OUR TOUR!!
Teachers: If you register for our tours, you will receive a certificate of participation for re-accreditation points as a PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT activity. Please check with your local school district or state department of education to determine the number of points you will be awarded.
**NOTE: DRS will be hosting special summer group tours for teachers. Dates will be announced shortly**
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Read about our tour in recent news articles:
Daily Advance Newspaper Articles (December 2013)
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