Harriet Tubman National Historical Park facts for kids
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Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
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Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Auburn, New York |
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| Website | Harriet Tubman National Historical Park |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001222 (original) 01000073 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 30, 1974 (original) January 3, 2001 (increase) |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
| Designated NHP | January 10, 2017 |
The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park is a special place in Auburn and Fleming, New York. It's a national park that celebrates the amazing life of Harriet Tubman. She was a brave hero who helped many enslaved people find freedom.
This park includes three important places connected to Harriet Tubman:
- The Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged
- The Harriet Tubman Residence
- The Thompson A.M.E. Zion Church
These sites are managed by the National Park Service and the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. They work together to teach visitors about Tubman's incredible journey and her work.
Contents
Discovering Harriet Tubman's Legacy
Harriet Tubman was a very important person in American history. She was a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. She was so brave that people called her "the Moses of her people."
After helping many people escape, Harriet Tubman moved to Auburn, New York, in 1857. She had lived in St. Catharines, Ontario, for several years before that. In Auburn, she continued to fight for important causes. She was a suffragist, meaning she worked for women's right to vote. She also spent her life caring for people who couldn't care for themselves.
The Important Buildings at the Park
The park has three main parts, each telling a piece of Harriet Tubman's story.
Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged
The Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged was a dream come true for Tubman. She wanted to open a home for older African Americans who were poor or couldn't care for themselves. This house became that special place. In 1911, Harriet Tubman herself became a resident there. She lived in the home until she passed away in 1913.
Harriet Tubman Residence
The Harriet Tubman Residence was Tubman's own home for many years. She lived here from 1859 until her death in 1913. A kind man named William H. Seward, who was a Senator at the time, sold her the land in 1859.
Thompson A.M.E. Zion Church
The Thompson A.M.E. Zion Church was Harriet Tubman's church. She attended services here regularly. Later in her life, she gave the Home for the Aged property to this church. She trusted them to continue managing it after she was gone.
History of the Home
Harriet Tubman moved to Auburn, New York, with her parents in 1857. She bought a brick home at 180 South Street from William H. Seward. This was a special deal, likely because of their friendship from the Underground Railroad.
In 1896, Tubman bought another piece of land next door, about 25 acres, for $1,450. This land later became the site for the Home for the Aged.
By 1903, Harriet Tubman could no longer afford to keep the property. So, she gave it to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AME Zion Church). They agreed to keep running the Home for the Aged. She was an active member of this church and even helped build the Thompson AME Church building.
In 1908, after five years of preparation, the house officially opened as the Harriet Tubman Home for the Elderly. Harriet Tubman also lived there. By 1911, her health declined, and she became a patient herself until her death in 1913. The home continued for a few more years but then closed. The original house became empty in 1928 and was torn down in 1944.
In 1953, the AME Zion Church rebuilt and restored the house. They did this to honor Tubman's life and achievements. Since then, two more buildings have been added to the property. This was done as the site became a historic landmark, a national park, and a place for the public to visit.
In 2017, several sites connected to Harriet Tubman became part of the National Historic Park. These include:
- Home for the Aged at 180 South Street, Auburn, NY 13021
- Residence at 182 South Street, Auburn, NY 13021
- AME Zion Church at 33 Parker Street, Auburn, NY 13021
Visiting the Park
You can visit the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park to learn more about her life.
Tour Information
The park offers tours during the winter.
- Days: Tuesday to Saturday
- Times: 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM
- Closing Time: 3:00 PM
- Closed: Sunday and Monday
Admission Fees
- Youth (6–17 years old): $2.00
- Adults (18-64 years old): $5.00
- Seniors (65+ years old) and College Students: $3.00
For more information, you can call 315-252-2081.
National Historical Parks
The park in Auburn officially became a National Historical Park on January 10, 2017. This happened at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. This park focuses on the later years of Harriet Tubman's life.
There is also another national park dedicated to Harriet Tubman in Maryland. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Maryland tells the story of her birthplace. It also covers the routes of the Underground Railroad in Maryland. This park in Maryland was created earlier, on December 19, 2014.
Harriet Tubman moved to Auburn, New York, after living in St. Catharines, Ontario, for about eight to ten years. She also brought her parents with her from Ontario. In St. Catharines, her life is honored at the Salem Chapel National Historic Site. This was the church she often went to, and it still has an active church community today.
