Harriet Tubman

Where you go matters, who came before you matters, come discover the power of this place.

Cayuga County has been home to many notable figures in history. One of the most well-known is Harriet Tubman, the self-sacrificing abolitionist, humanitarian, and Civil War hero who freed hundreds of enslaved individuals after following her self-emancipation.

While many people know Harriet Tubman as a conductor of the Underground Railroad, few know the rest of her story. Tubman spent her 50+ years outside of slavery as a public speaker and mentor, a selfless philanthropist, and a successful entrepreneur, all while being a lifelong abolitionist. She chose to live alongside her friends and colleagues in the place where the soul of equal rights was born and lives on today, Auburn, NY.

Here, you can follow in the footsteps of Harriet Tubman and experience her history – and her legacy – in a whole new way. Walk in her shoes across the streets and the floors of the historical landmarks that welcomed Harriet Tubman to live her life as a free woman. Take the self-guided Underground Railroad Tour, including churches and houses such as the Seward House Museum, where enslaved people were safely housed during their freedom journey. Learn about her philanthropic work and tour the property she owned, where her brick residence still stands today, along with apple orchards that she planted at The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. Then pay your respects to her life at her final resting place in Fort Hill Cemetery.

Harriet Tubman’s legacy lives on in the historical sites, in the residents, in the small businesses, and in the community itself. Plan a visit and allow yourself to experience the untold story of Harriet Tubman and her bravery.

Seward House Museum

Fellow abolitionists and suffragists, the Seward Family, opened their home to fleeing slaves as a safe resting place. Now a public museum, the Seward House is a designated National Historic Landmark displaying one of America’s most original collections of historic homes.

Fort Hill Cemetery

Set on a hill overlooking Auburn, this site was used for burial mounds by Native Americans as early as 1100 A.D. The cemetery includes the burial sites of notable figures such as Harriet Tubman, William Seward, and Martha Coffin Wright and is open to the public.

Equal Rights Heritage Center

Experience the creative ways New Yorkers organized to stand for justice and learn about the key contributors from the 1800s to the modern day. Relax and unwind on the green space or admire the bronze statue of Harriet Tubman in the courtyard—a photo opportunity not to be missed—and find all travel resources like paper guides, maps, brochures, and I Love NY trip-planning kiosks at this one-stop tourist hub.

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

The National Park Service preserves the Thompson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, where Tubman attended service for 22 years.

Two routes are available to guide you through the underground railroad history in Cayuga County. The Auburn driving tour has 34 sites and the Cayuga County driving tour has 27 sites.

Click on photos below for a brochure and driving maps.