Trace the steps of the Black Portlanders who moved our city, state, and country closer to the ideals of freedom, democracy, opportunity, and equality. Maine’s earliest settlements couldn’t have existed without Black labor, skill, and insight. You'll meet the Black Yankees who founded Maine communities, overturned slavery statewide, drove our maritime industries, gained political influence, crossed color boundaries, and expanded Mainers’ rights in the modern era.
Stepping on granite cobblestones crooked with age — that once saw footfalls from national heroes like Frederick Douglass — you’ll pass storefronts once home to Black-owned barbershops where abolitionists whispered intelligence to Underground Railroad conductors.
Enjoy 2 hours of entertaining and enlightening historical narration over a 1.5-mile route. Owner and guide, Dugan Murphy, dug through the archives to present an amazing constellation of stories left out of most tours. TripAdvisor named him Portland's #1 guide!
Wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals allowed. Public transportation options are available nearby. Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Suitable for all physical fitness levels. Pets are not allowed on tours unless medically required.. Portland is a hilly city. Participants will walk uphill sometimes, including a staircase of 17 steps.
Meet at the church steps. Your guide will be holding a sign that says "Portland by the Foot." Check-in time is 10 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time. The church is one half mile from the cruise ship terminal.