“Building the Pearl schooner as a volunteer, educational, training, and creative enterprise experience.”
1848 Escape on the Pearl Schooner
The “Pearl” was the name of the seventy foot Chesapeake Bay Schooner used by the abolitionist movement in the Underground Railroad. On April 15, 1848, seventy—seven Americans escaped from Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia by boarding the Pearl Schooner along the Anacostia river and Washington Harbor. This catalytic escape and the subsequent indigenous/negro rebellions further inspired the abolitionist movement and emboldened the Underground Railroad. The nation and the world was shocked. Freedom’s cry could not be silenced. A civil war was brewing!.
About The Pearl Coalition
The Pearl Coalition was founded in 2001 by the late Lloyd D. Smith. The Pearl Coalition is incorporated under the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act. Beginning in 1979, The Pearl Coalition has led and driven and contributed to the unmasking of the 1848 Pearl escape and the many hidden historic revelations. Coalition and collabrative grass roots work to highlight and honor the hero’s of the Pearl escape, the abolitionist movement and the contributions of our ancestral freedom fighters and their descendants.
Volunteer to #BuildThePearl
Volunteer help build the replica of the Pearl schooner and more. Our goal is fully engaging volunteers in all project aspects to include construction, mentoring, community events, fundraising, education activities, exhibits and arts. Perfect for the whole family, team building, retreats, or just for fun! Hands on, quantifiable, direct impact where it’s needed most.
Take the Pearl Escape #FreedomTourDC
Take DC’s finest historic tour of the untold hero's of the escape on the Pearl schooner and the abolitionist movement in the DMV. Visit Anacostia/Potomac River sites connected to American history from historic Deanwood and Woodlawn Cemetery to Downtown and Georgetown DC. Support DC community based small business and Pearl Coalition youth when you take the tour. Donations directly benefit the building of the “Spirit of the Pearl” schooner full implementation of the TPC youth and family programing. Large, Small and Private Group Tours Available!