March 27, 2024

Park to Honor Harriet Tubman in Maryland

In the National Defense Authorization Act for 2015, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) praised a provision that established the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Maryland and the Harriet Tubman National Park in Auburn, New York.

“Harriet Tubman is a national hero and one of the greatest figures in our country’s history. I’m pleased that through these national parks – one in her birthplace on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the other in New York, where she lived for several decades – we will honor her extraordinary life and legacy and provide Americans with the opportunity to learn more about her work to advance equality, opportunity, and justice.

“Born a slave in Dorchester County, Harriet Tubman escaped and courageously led many others to freedom on the Underground Railroad. She inspired people of all backgrounds through her work fighting the injustice of slavery and working for equality for all Americans. I was proud to support this bill to pay tribute to her through the establishment of these national parks, which are the first to be named in honor of an African-American woman.”

The Tubman provision was among several parks and wilderness measures attached to the NDAA because they were unlikely to pass separately in the remaining days of the lame-duck Congress. Some senators and conservative groups had objected to the idea of including parks and wilderness measures in a defense bill.

The bill authorizes the money necessary for the National Park Service to establish the park, with the federal share not to exceed 50 percent of the total cost. No specific dollar amount is included in the legislation.

The national historical park will include Tubman’s former residence and related properties on 32 acres along Auburn’s South Street and in the town of Fleming in Cayuga County. The properties include Tubman’s former home, as well as the Tubman Home for the Aged and the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church and Rectory.

In Maryland, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park will trace Tubman’s early life where she was born and later escaped to become a leader of the Underground Railroad, the network of safe houses and secret routes that helped slaves escape to free states.

 

Leave A Comment