Defense Bill Would Create Tubman Historic Park

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A provision in a defense bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives would create the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Park in Maryland.

The House approved the measure Thursday. It now heads to the Senate where passage is expected next week.

The historic park honoring Tubman would be on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Tubman was born a slave in Maryland but escaped as an adult and made her way north to Pennsylvania. The park will include regional landscapes where Tubman lived, worked and was enslaved. It also will include areas where she organized and led the Underground Railroad.

Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., says it's estimated the park would draw about 75,000 visitors a year, generate about $3.75 million in revenue and create about 50 jobs.

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