Harriet Tubman, one of America’s most famous 19th century abolitionists, is now being honored with a new park in Auburn, New York. This park, officially named the Harriet Tubman National Park, focuses on her post-Civil War advocacy work. Volunteers working at this brand new park hope more Americans will come to visit and learn about the life and legacy of this amazing woman.
Commemoration Of Harriet Tubman National Park in Auburn
People visiting this new park get to see Tubman’s final brick residence, another home she helped build for elderly African Americans, and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church where she attended services. Tubman was buried in a cemetery very close to this new park. This area was officially designated the 414th unit in the U.S. National Park System after Interior Secretary Sally Jewell signed a memorandum.
Jewell and many other New York politicians were in attendance at the dedication ceremony held in Auburn. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the attendees,
As a New Yorker and an American, I’m deeply proud to see Tubman Park finally become a reality.
Also in attendance at this ceremony was Judith Bryant, Tubman’s great-great-great grandniece. Bryant told reporters she was overjoyed this park got commemorated “on President Obama’s watch.”
Indeed, President Obama gave final approval for the establishment of this park at the start of January. Both the National Park Service and the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc., will be in charge of protecting the buildings on this property. As mentioned above, this park will mainly focus on the abolitionist’s later life. Tubman spent the last 50 years of her life in Auburn, and she spent a great deal of that time advocating for women’s suffrage.
However, this isn’t the only place that honors the legacy of this American icon. There’s also a large museum called the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument located in Cambridge, Maryland. The museum focuses on this amazing woman’s early life, her years of enslavement, and the historic ten years she led the Underground Railroad.
The Life Of America’s Fiercest Abolitionist
Harriet Tubman certainly led a heroic life. She was born in Dorchester County, Maryland, in 1822. Shortly thereafter, Tubman was enslaved for 30 years. She eventually fled to Philadelphia in 1849 and gained her freedom. Once freed, Tubman made it her life’s mission to help as many slaves as she could flee into the northern states and to Canada.
She led the so-called “Underground Railroad” for the next 10 years. Her work on the Underground Railroad earned her the nickname “Moses” from former slaves and fellow abolitionists. Once the Civil War broke out, Tubman worked in the Union Army as a nurse, cook, and a spy. When the war finished, she settled in Auburn and continued to change lives through her advocacy work. She passed away at the age of 91 in 1913.
Tubman’s Legacy Looks Strong
In addition to these major American parks, this world-renowned human rights champion made headlines in 2016 after the U.S. Treasury announced that it will replace President Andrew Jackson with a picture of Tubman on the $20 bill. People in the Auburn community were thrilled once they heard about Tubman’s placement on the $20 bill.
Jewell told reporters she won’t believe Tubman is actually going to be put on the $20 dollar bills until she sees it for herself. Many believe the nation’s estimation of this suffragette and human rights activist is slowly moving in the right direction. All of the volunteers at this New York park hope the increased attention given to this women’s rights leader will inspire young Americans to learn more about her life and live their lives following her example.
