7 Must-See Places To Learn About Harriet Tubman’s Life and Legacy: Things To Do in Auburn, New York – Episode 161
Things to do in Auburn New York, Harriet Tubman’s chosen hometown. Hear lesser-known stories about Harriet Tubman and her remarkable legacy as an abolitionist, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and more. What do you know about Harriet Tubman, one of the most influential women in American history? Most people know she was an African American abolitionist who escaped slavery and became a renowned Underground Railroad conductor, guiding enslaved people to the freed Northern states and Canada. Perhaps you know she also served as a scout, distinguished spy, and nurse in the United States Army. However, did you know Harriet Tubman was also an entrepreneur, landowner, negotiator, philanthropist, humanitarian, wife, and beloved aunt?
I recently visited Auburn, New York, Harriet Tubman’s chosen home for the last 50+ years of her life and where she is laid to rest. Here, I discovered lesser-known stories about Harriet Tubman and visited places in Cayuga County where her presence is still felt.
Continue reading or listen to this podcast episode for the best places to visit in Auburn to learn about Harriet Tubman’s life. While some are historic sites, others might surprise you!
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In this episode, we cover:
- Historic sites in Auburn, New York, related to Harriet Tubman’s legacy
- [11:08] Why Harriet Tubman chose to live in Auburn, New York
- [19:13] Where to see a rare Underground Railroad ticket
- [20:00] Deanna Stanford Walz, an indirect descendant, shares how being related to Harriet Tubman has impacted her life and advocacy work
- Ways Tubman’s influence reaches far beyond the museums
This episode is made in partnership with Tour Cayuga, a resource for visitors planning a trip to the heart of the Finger Lakes region of New York. Discover where to stay, places to eat, wineries to visit, historical sites, and more.
Escape From Slavery: Harriet Tubman’s Courage and Selfless Service
Harriet Tubman is one of the most influential women in American history. Born Araminta Ross, she was a remarkable woman whose life was defined by courage, resilience, faith, family, and unwavering determination.
Born into slavery in Maryland around 1822, Tubman endured unimaginable hardships and abuse from a young age. Despite her physical and emotional scars, Tubman never lost her determination to fight for freedom.
In her preteen years, a pivotal moment occurred when she witnessed an enslaved man being captured, sparking a deep sense of injustice within her. This event eventually led to her own daring escape from slavery, setting the stage for her future as a freedom fighter.
Nicknamed the “Moses of Her People,” she led enslaved individuals to freedom, often risking her own safety. Her courage and resourcefulness helped her navigate the treacherous terrain and evade capture.
Are you tired of reading? Listen to this episode on Spotify, in which Harriet Tubman’s Site Manager and tour guide, Reverend Paul Gordon Carter, recounts her story.
Tubman’s Distinguished Military Career
During the Civil War, Harriet Tubman’s bravery extended to the battlefield, where she served as a scout, spy, and nurse for the Union Army. One of Tubman’s most remarkable feats from her military career was leading armed troops into battle, becoming the only woman of any race to do so. Her leadership on missions such as the Combahee River Raid led troops to free hundreds of enslaved individuals and secure valuable supplies. While in the military, she started a pie and root beer business to support herself and her family, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.
Tubman’s Interest in Generational Wealth
Speaking with Deanna Stanford Walz, Harriet Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece, gives us insight into Tubman’s beliefs.
Deanna Stanford Walz: “Harriet had tried to talk her grandparents into buying a house. I think she had this plan of what we would now call “generational wealth,” to buy houses, keep it in the family, and really dig our roots into Auburn. Have a community that is, you know, ours.”
Tubman’s efforts to create generational wealth and establish roots in her community demonstrate her long-term vision and commitment to building a better future for her family and those around her.
Suffrage and Civil Rights Advocacy
While Tubman is well known for her efforts in the abolitionist movement, her dedication to equality extended beyond race. She understood the significance of women’s suffrage in the broader fight for equal rights. She attended suffrage conventions and worked alongside well-known suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Her involvement in women’s suffrage and civil rights movements further solidifies her legacy as a social justice and equality trailblazer.
Deanna Stanford Walz: “She really believed in women’s suffrage, but she was also a Black woman. So you couldn’t separate those two aspects of her life. They’re molded into one. So if we’re talking about women’s suffrage, there’s Black women, so we also have to have civil rights.”
Her intersectional approach to activism, recognizing the interconnectedness of different forms of oppression, demonstrates her forward-thinking and inclusive mindset. Tubman’s advocacy for women’s and Black rights underscores her commitment to fighting for equality.
Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, Tubman never wavered in her commitment to fighting for freedom and equality. Her courage and resilience inspired others to join her in the fight against oppression, creating a ripple effect of change that still resonates today. Her dedication to helping others and her courage in the face of adversity inspire generations to stand up for what is right and make a difference in the world.
Where did Harriet Tubman live?
Harriet Tubman lived in Auburn, New York, for the last 50+ years of her life. Auburn was once a hotspot for abolitionists, women’s rights, and human rights movements, offering a safe environment and supportive community to live and work.
Listen to this episode on YouTube!
More Resources to Learn About Harriet Tubman Davis
- Walk In Her Footsteps: a podcast series exploring Harriet Tubman’s life in Auburn, New York, after the Civil War.
- The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
- Beyond the Underground by Joyce Stoke Jones and Michele Jones Galvin
- Harriet: Netflix biopic of Harriet Tubman’s harrowing escape from slavery and how she risked her life to lead others to freedom.
Historic Auburn, NY Tourist Attractions: Things To Do in Auburn, New York
Auburn is a small city in Cayuga County, in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, that offers a mix of city and countryside views. While Cayuga County is famous for outdoor activities and winery experiences, it’s also rich in history, art, and culture.
If you’re interested in tracing Harriet Tubman’s steps, visiting Auburn, New York, is a must. Various historic sites, museums, and landmarks tell her story. Here are seven things to do in Auburn, NY, where you can learn more about Harriet Tubman’s incredible journey.
1. Harriet Tubman Home
Start at the Harriet Tubman Home, one of the Auburn, NY, museums I highly recommend. The Harriet Tubman Home includes the Harriet Tubman Residence, the Visitor Center, and the Harriet Tubman Home for Aged. Guided tours are available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. EST.
I thoroughly enjoyed the informative presentation by master storyteller Reverend Paul Gordon Carter, who has been offering these tours for the last three decades. Here, you’ll learn about Tubman’s family, personal life, hardships, and heroic endeavors.
We then toured the Harriet Tubman Home for Aged, showcasing artwork, period-piece furniture, and antiques that provide insights into her modest life in Auburn.
My experience at the Harriet Tubman Home was truly enlightening. Every moment was filled with a deep sense of history and reverence. Learning about Harriet Tubman’s life, struggles, and incredible achievements was humbling and inspiring.
I left the Harriet Tubman Home reflecting on these (3) core values: Freedom, Family, and Faith, which I noticed appeared often in her story. Harriet Tubman’s life is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the impact one person can have on the lives of many.
Harriet Tubman Home Address: 180 South St, Auburn, NY 13021
2. NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center
Next, visit the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center in Downtown Auburn. Here, you can find a stunning 7½-foot bronze statue in the courtyard by master sculptor and contemporary realism artist Brian Hanlon. It depicts young Harriet Tubman holding a lantern, guiding those enslaved to freedom.
Opened in 2018, the center welcomes visitors and highlights New York’s important role in progressive social movements from the late 1700s until now.
NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center Address: 25 South Street, Auburn, NY 13021
3. Harriet Tubman Artwork
One notable feature in Auburn, New York, is the artwork dedicated to Harriet Tubman scattered throughout the city, which pays homage to her life and humanitarian work.
The “Harriet Tubman: Her Life and Freedom” mural high up on a building downtown is a prominent sight. The mosaic on the rear wall of Genesee Center offers another opportunity for visitors to experience Tubman’s story up close.
Also, in Freedom Park on North Street, near the Owasco River Bridge, see “Harriet Tubman: Life Cycle of a Freedom Fighter,” a sculpture with three metal bicycles representing different periods of her life.
4. Walk South Street
One mile long, between Genesee Street and Richardson Avenue, take the picturesque route Tubman often took herself by strolling on Auburn’s Historic South Street.
Starting at Seward House Museum, this mostly residential neighborhood features beautiful 19th and early 20th-century homes and establishments, some listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you appreciate architecture, you’ll notice various styles, from Greek Revival to Early Republic and Victorian.
Walking on South Street will connect you to Fort Hill Cemetery, where you can visit Harriet Tubman’s burial site. Further down, you can walk to her home.
5. Fort Hill Cemetery
In Downtown Auburn, NY, pay your respects at Fort Hill Cemetery, a historic and active 83-acre cemetery just a few miles from Tubman’s home in Auburn. Open from dawn to dusk, the cemetery is easy to navigate whether you’re walking or choosing to drive.
Located on West Lawn C (#17), near a large pine tree planted by her nieces and nephews, Harriet Tubman’s granite headstone is engraved with the dedication, “Servant of God, Well Done.” Visitors often leave small mementos like flowers, seashells, hairpins, and pennies at her gravesite, reflecting their admiration and respect for her legacy.
Use this map to locate Tubman’s headstone.
Other notable people buried at Fort Hill Cemetery include Theodore Case, inventor of sound film, and former New York Governor William H. Seward, abolitionist and the Secretary of State during the Lincoln and Johnson administrations, who sold Tubman seven acres of land in Auburn for $1,200.
Fort Hill Cemetery Address: 19 Fort St Cemetery, Auburn, NY 13021
6. Howland Stone Store Museum
Visit the Howland Stone Store Museum at the Sherwood Equal Rights Historic District to see an original Underground Railroad ticket. This handwritten note, brought by fugitives escaping from Maryland, is a rare artifact that sheds light on the secretive operations of the Underground Railroad.
Howland Stone Store Museum Address: 2956 NY-34B, Aurora, NY 13026
7. Fargo Bar & Grill
Today, Tubman’s influence reaches far beyond the historical sites mentioned above.
Indulge in a unique culinary experience inspired by Harriet Tubman at Fargo Bar and Grill in Aurora, about 20 minutes from Downtown Auburn.
Try the maple BBQ salmon dish, which pays homage to Tubman’s cooking skills learned from her mother. Chef Zachary Phillips combines Southern biscuits, greens, and Northern ingredients like salmon, local apples, and maple syrup to create a unique and delicious tribute.
Fargo Bar & Grill Address: 384 Main St, Aurora, NY 13026
There are a few places in Auburn that I couldn’t visit, but I hope to check out in the future. These include the Cayuga Museum of History and Art and the Seward House Museum, a famous Underground Railroad stop where William H. Seward’s wife, Frances, hid freedom seekers in their basement.
A trip to Auburn, New York, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Harriet Tubman’s life and legacy. From her historic estate to her final resting place, each attraction provides a glimpse into the extraordinary journey of this iconic figure in American history.
Admittedly, before this trip to Auburn, I thought I knew Harriet Tubman; however, I realized that, like many people, I had a very narrow view of her life, focusing on her years of service on the Underground Railroad. Outside her famous conductor role, she lived a full, accomplished life.
March 10th, the anniversary of her death, marks Harriet Tubman Day, an annual day of observation commemorating her life and legacy. In celebration, please share this episode with a family member or friend to continue spreading her story.
What other fun things to do in Auburn, NY, would you recommend?
Where To Stay in Auburn, New York?
I recommend staying at Hilton Garden Inn Auburn, a centrally located hotel with an on-site gym, indoor swimming pool, bar, and restaurant. Plus, there is plenty of free parking. Remember to give the front desk your Hilton Honors number at check-in to accumulate points toward your stay.
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7 Experiences Your Family Will Love at Adirondack Experience in Upstate New York – Episode 142
Read the episode transcript.
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Danielle Desir Corbett is an award-winning and 6x grant-funded travel writer and podcast host who went from financial struggle to visiting 27+ countries all without waiting until retirement. Her story is proof that budget doesn’t limit adventure. Tune into The Thought Card Podcast for practical strategies to travel smarter and live on your terms. Say hello: thethoughtcard (at) gmail (dot) com.
