I never realized that there was so much history just a few hours away from the Cornell campus. The opportunity to visit the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls and the Harriet Tubman House in Auburn were opportunities that I could not pass up on.
The first stop on the trip was the Women’s Right Museum, where we learned about the history of the town, the history and fight for women’s voting rights, and the fight for equality. I had the opportunity to visit the chapel, the site of the first Women’s Rights Convention in the United States. From the park ranger, I learned more about the events of that day and of the key women and men involved in the fight for equality.
The second stop of the trip was the Harriet Tubman house. Here, we had the opportunity to learn about the life and work of Harriet Tubman. The tour guide’s passion and knowledge regarding the early life of Harriet Tubman, her accomplishments, her work during the Civil War, and her later life was truly remarkable. Previously, I did not know much about Harriet Tubman’s early life, especially her brain injury caused by a two-pound weight. Some say that this head injury caused her to hear voices/messages from God, which spurred her and helped her during her journeys on the Underground Railroad. Furthermore, I previously did not know that Harriet Tubman played such a large role during the Civil War. I had learned that she was a spy for the Union, however, I was not aware that she had also led Union soldiers into battle and had served as an army nurse! Finally, from the tour guide, I also learned of the vital role that Harriet played in Auburn after the Civil War. Her work with her nursing home (which provided aid to other African Americans) was truly inspiring.
Overall, I am really thankful to have the opportunity to visit these two historical locations. Being able to learn of the history of these two locations, the people involved, and the significance of this on the course of U.S. history was eye-opening and inspiring.
I think that upstate New York in particular was a great area for history, especially given its central location between the waterways of the great lake and the Erie canal. It is impressive that the US has devoted a national historic park to great women in our history. Let’s hope this trend continues. I can certainly name a few more women who should have a national park but do not have that honor yet. I am unsure whether when you talk about the town, what this is comprised of. Do you mean the town of Auburn itself, or is there a part in the national park that has the town already there? I bet the chapel would have been a great space, especially considering its frequent use in the women’s voting rights. Harriet Tubman’s house would have particularly interested me given her longevity in the effort both before during and after the civil war. So glad you were able to see the space where she lived and worked.