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When I think of Harriet Tubman, the image that always comes to mind is the fearless “Moses of her people,” leading enslaved men, women, and children to freedom along the Underground Railroad. What I didn’t know until recently is that Tubman’s story didn’t end there.
For over 50 years, Harriet Tubman resided in Auburn, New York. She owned land, built a home for the elderly, worshipped in her church, and left a lasting imprint on this community, where she is still honored today.
But walking in her footsteps here is more than history. It is a mirror for where we are now.
Why Harriet Matters Now
We live in a time where the political climate often works against people of color. We read heartbreaking headlines of young Black students being found hanging on college campuses, their deaths quickly written off as suicide. I hear people say racism is a “white problem” – that the fear and hate come from those threatened by people of color. And that fear and hate are used, again and again, to divide us.
That’s why Harriet’s story is not just relevant – it’s essential. Her courage, her determination, and her refusal to accept division show us what it looks like to stand against fear. Black history is American history. To ignore that truth is to keep breaking our own country apart.
Who Was Harriet Tubman? (A Quick Refresher)
Most of us first learned about Harriet Tubman in school, where she was introduced as one of the most courageous leaders of the Underground Railroad. Born into slavery in Maryland around 1822, Tubman endured harsh conditions and escaped bondage in 1849.
Instead of simply securing her own freedom, she returned south again and again, guiding more than 70 enslaved people to freedom and advising countless others on how to find their way north. Her bravery earned her the nickname “Moses.”
But Harriet Tubman’s story didn’t stop there. She served as a scout, spy, and nurse during the Civil War. After emancipation, she dedicated the rest of her life to helping others, advocating for women’s suffrage, caring for the elderly, and building community.
That is the part of her life that unfolded in Cayuga County, New York. That is the chapter I came here to discover.
Experiencing Harriet in Auburn
Visiting Cayuga County goes far beyond reading plaques or admiring statues. It is a chance to experience Harriet’s life in 3D. You can step where she stepped, hear her story from those who keep it alive, and even learn how she and others survived on their way to freedom. This is Harriet 2.0, the full story told where it happened.
Equal Rights in Auburn
25 South Street, Auburn, NY 13021
The journey begins at the New York Equal Rights Heritage Center. Here, interactive exhibits tell the stories of New Yorkers who fought for abolition, suffrage, and civil rights. Out in the courtyard, a striking bronze statue of Tubman stands tall, capturing her determination and humanity. It’s the perfect place to start and a reminder that her Auburn story is deeply connected to the larger fight for justice.
A Place of Honor: Fort Hill Cemetery
19 Fort Street, Auburn, NY, 13021
At Fort Hill Cemetery, Harriet Tubman’s headstone is simple but profound: “Servant of God, Well Done.” The stone is flanked by shrubs and shaded by a pine tree planted by her nieces and nephews. Visitors leave flowers, flags, and mementos at her grave, and standing there feels like standing on sacred ground.
The Harriet Tubman Home
180 South Street, Auburn, NY 13021
If Fort Hill is the ending, the Harriet Tubman Home is the heart of the story. Reverend Paul Carter, the last person to live on the property, shares Tubman’s legacy in a way that feels personal, almost familial.
Walking the grounds, you’ll see the Home for the Aged, the restored barn, and Harriet’s residence itself. This was more than her home. It was her mission to care for those society often forgot.
Her Church: A Spiritual Center
49 Parker Street in Auburn, NY
Just down the road, the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church tells another chapter. Harriet worshiped here for more than 20 years, raised money to build it, and was remembered here at her funeral in 1913. Restored to its early-20th-century appearance, the church lets you stand where she once sang, prayed, and built community.
The Seward Connection
33 South St., Auburn, NY 13021
The Seward House Museum ties Harriet’s story into the broader abolitionist movement. William H. Seward, Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of State, and his wife Frances, were Harriet’s friends and allies. They sold her the land where she built her home and supported her work.
Their basement, once a stop on the Underground Railroad, now houses the exhibit “Forged in Freedom: The Bond of the Seward and Tubman Families.” It’s a moving testament to friendship and shared conviction.
Survival in the Wild: Foraging Like Freedom Seekers
One of the most unique parts of my visit was in Aurora, where Paul Porter led us on a foraging and survival walk. Imagine escaping with nothing but the clothes on your back. How would you find food, water, and shelter?
Paul showed us the edible plants, survival skills, and natural resources that freedom seekers would have relied on. It was humbling and eye-opening to realize how Harriet Tubman and others used their knowledge of the land not just to survive, but to keep moving forward toward freedom.
Harriet 2.0: The Full Story
Cayuga County preserves Harriet Tubman’s memory in a way that feels alive and present. Here you see where the world-renowned freedom fighter became a neighbor, a homeowner, a caregiver, and a leader in her community.
Visiting Auburn gives you Harriet 2.0. Not just the conductor of the Underground Railroad, but the woman who built a legacy that still surrounds you as you walk her streets, worship in her church, and reflect at her grave.
Her story challenges us today: to see fear and hate for what they are, to stop letting division define us, and to remember that justice is not optional; it is the foundation of who we claim to be.
If you have ever wanted to understand Harriet Tubman beyond the textbook version, this is where you need to be.
🧳 Planning Your Harriet Tubman Experience
Best Stops in Auburn, NY:
- New York Equal Rights Heritage Center
- Fort Hill Cemetery
- Harriet Tubman Home & Visitor Center
- Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church (Harriet Tubman National Historical Park)
- Seward House Museum
- Outdoor survival/foraging walk in Aurora
Tours & Extras:
- Download the Tubman’s UGRR – Cayuga County App for a self-guided driving tour (34 stops in Auburn, 27 across the county).
- Listen to the “Walk in Her Footsteps: Harriet Tubman’s Life in Auburn, NY” podcast for an audio guide to her story.
Length of Stay:
- 2 full days in Auburn will cover the essentials.
- Add a third day for the foraging experience and winery stops along Cayuga Lake.
Helpful Links:
