When Harriet Tubman’s identify is talked about, most individuals visualize a solemn lady who single-handedly labored to free tons of of slaves. She is without doubt one of the most celebrated heroes in Black historical past and but we all know little or no about her as a girl, outdoors of her work because the conductor of the Underground Railroad. Tubman’s work has been celebrated however her womanhood has been erased. The Cayuga County Workplace of Tourism and historian Ted Freeman are devoted to altering that narrative and educating the general public on Harriet’s life together with her dedication to the small group of Auburn, New York.
Freeman, a former soccer star, returned to his roots of Auburn to help with telling Tubman’s story alongside her descendants and the Workplace of Tourism.
“Auburn was Harriet’s chosen homestead and there may be a lot historical past right here I want extra folks would have the chance to expertise,” Freeman shares.
One of many greatest misconceptions about Tubman’s legacy is that she was portrayed as a solo determine who labored tirelessly for her folks by herself.
“Not solely was Harriet married however she was in love together with her husband,” Freeman says proudly. “Historical past doesn’t inform that aspect of her story and in doing that, we’ve accomplished a fantastic injustice to our younger folks. This narrative of Black women and men not working collectively and loving each other is fake. Harriet was proud to be married to Nelson and he did vital work within the wrestle additionally. He was accountable for sharing the information that the slaves had been formally free and beginning the primary Juneteenth celebration.”
Freeman believes that historical past is the place younger folks discover their identification. He says it’s vital that younger Black men and women know that their legacy consists of working collectively and loving each other together with their households.
“Simply suppose how otherwise it will have an effect on right now’s younger lady if she knew that Harriet was capable of be this powerhouse and but she nonetheless had a loving husband. Leaving these little particulars out is what adjustments our communities perspective about each other. If we have fun the accomplishments from every however don’t understand they completed it collectively, we miss out on a possibility to have fun Black love,” Freeman shares.
Freeman created GLOW Excursions to offer an intimate expertise for vacationers to go to Harriet Tubman’s homestead and to see the place she labored with Secretary of State William Seward on the Underground Railroad. So many historic gems and landmarks are nestled within the picturesque county that when vacationers go to, they’re assured to return.
“I’ve devoted my life to telling this story and I sit up for welcoming all of Auntie Harriet’s kids to return go to Auburn and study extra about her life and the way her contributions made it attainable for them to stay with the alternatives they’ve right now,” Freeman says.
For extra info on Harriet Tubman’s homestead, go to https://glowtoursny.com and https://www.tourcayuga.com.
