Join the Dames for a remarkable tour of the tunnels at the Emmanuel Parish of the Episcopal Church, in Cumberland, MD, Afterwards, we will enjoy lunch at City Lights, in downtown Cumberland.

**HISTORY:** In 1755, the British Army occupied the hilltop where the Church now stands and erected Fort Cumberland (named for the British Minister of War). One of the features of Fort Cumberland was the system of earthworks which today are known as the Tunnels. They are all that visibly remains of the fort. Originally, these served three purposes. Beneath the storehouses in the fort, underground chambers were dug to keep perishable food fresh for as long as possible. The 5000 people at the fort ate 15000 meals a day! As well, gunpowder had to be stored with great care, and some of the chambers were lined with stone to serve as powder magazines. One still exists beneath the Church. Finally, the fort was made of wood, and thus highly vulnerable to attack. So along the banks of the Potomac and Will’s Creek to the east and south, and surrounding the fort at a distance of ¼ mile to the north and west were out defense works. These were accessed from the fort by trenches that extended out from beneath the fort’s walls. One-hundred years later, the same trench that once gave British soldiers a way to reach their defenses along Will’s Creek in safety became the way escaping slaves got up under the Church to the safety of the Underground Railroad station.

**Sign the online waiver! [https://app.cleverwaiver.com/render/templateByRefId/60c6dcad08ae6e3ec768a8e7?event=TheTunnels12-07-24](https://app.cleverwaiver.com/render/templateByRefId/60c6dcad08ae6e3ec768a8e7?event=TheTunnels12-07-24)**

**Start time:** 11:00 a.m.

**Meet at:** Emmanuel Parish, 16 Washington Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/ymt8uudqgxgF3t4E8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ymt8uudqgxgF3t4E8)

**PARK:** The parking lot for the church is located off Washington Street, and there is a pathway to the church. Meet inside of the red doors.

**COST: The tour price is** **$10.00/pp in CASH, paid at the time of the tour**.

**Optional lunch (immediately afterward):** City Lights, 59 Baltimore Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/iGhh9CUWNEPUkLtWA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/iGhh9CUWNEPUkLtWA)

**Route/Length/Terrain:** The tunnels are narrow, and they involve uneven terrain and stairs. There are handrails though. Tour time is approx. 1.5 hours.

**What should you wear?** Wear breathable layered clothing, no cotton. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

**What should you bring?** At least 1 liter of water. This is a rain-or-shine event. No backpacks please given the confines of the tunnels.

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**CONSEQUENCES OF A NO SHOW - To accommodate all, Trail Dames has a 3-strikes-you are-out policy for NO SHOWS. Please make sure your RSVP is accurate at least 24 hours prior to event start. If there is a same day emergency, reach out to the hike leaders, please.**
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11/21/23 Revised Trail Dames COVID-19 Guidelines: • All local laws regarding social distancing, group size, mask usage, and other COVID-19 issues must be followed and supersede anything Trail Dames might impose. • When carpooling, please respect the driver’s wishes regarding mask usage. • As always, if you are ill or experiencing any flu-like symptoms, please do not attend Trail Dames events.

Trail Dames of Maryland

Sports & Fitness

Women's Hiking

Please confirm that you must pay $10 cash at the time of the tour.  Thank you.

The Tunnels at Emmanuel Parish followed by lunch in Cumberland, MD 

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The Tunnels at Emmanuel Parish followed by lunch in Cumberland, MD

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