Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn, New York, is getting a new landmark that honors the American abolitionist.
Courtesy of NPS Photo via EarthCam
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park inAuburn, New York, is getting a new landmark that honors the American abolitionist and social activist.
After a meticulous restoration and rehabilitation process, the Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church and Parsonage isreopening to the public on June 22, offering visitors a profound glimpse into the final chapter of Tubmans remarkable life.
The exterior of the Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church and parsonage at 47 Parker St. in Harriet Tubman National Historical Park.Credit:Courtesy of NPS Photo via EarthCam
For Tubman, the church was not merely a sacred place of worship it was also a source of communal support, a platform for anti-slavery activism, and the site of her funeral in 1913.
“Tubman’s dedication to this church was unwavering throughout her 22 years as a member, and she even used her own funds to contribute to its construction,” Brittany Lane, lead park ranger for theHarriet Tubman National Historical Park, toldTravel + Leisure.
While Tubman is most renowned for her courageous role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, guiding approximately 70 individuals to freedom, Lane said, “Even amongst these accomplishments, its important to recognize that she led a private life full of compassion, service, and advocacy, which is why preserving historical sites like these is crucial.”
Tubman’s regard for others led her to acquire land adjacent to her home, with the intention to create a nursing home for low-income and elderly people in Auburn.
With the support of the A.M.E. Zion church community, the Tubman Home for Aged and Indigent Negroes operated from 1908 until the early 1920s, with Tubman herself residing there as a patient until her passing in 1913.
Today, visitors to the Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church and Parsonage can learn about Tubman and the Auburn community through various informational exhibits.
The church building and parsonage, both owned by the National Park Service, are part of the national historical park along with Tubmans former brick home, a visitor center, an administrative building, and the reconstructed Home for the Aged and Indigent Negroes, which are privately owned.
Lane hopes that as the park grows, it will serve as a welcoming place where the community can once again gather and celebrate Tubmans life and legacy.
