The National Park Service in Auburn, NY, recently relaunched the Underground Railroad app, an interactive app that traces the Underground Railroad’s journey.
Through the app, users can walk through 62 overall stops- 35 of which are in Auburn and 27 of which are in nearby Cayuga County. Using two different routes, the app helps drive users to places such as Harriet Tubman’s seven-acre estate, Fort Hill Cemetery, where Tubman’s resting place is, abolitionist Abijah Fitch’s house and the abolitionist news outlet Northern Independent Newspaper.
The latest updates provide not only historical information on the locations but also interactive features. Users can watch short videos and answer one-question quizzes to learn more about the historical landmarks. Approximately 22 graphics created to explore each landmark location have also been added.
Visitors and the local community can explore Tubman’s story and pivotal connection to Auburn through the app and the overall walking tour.
“Something special about our destination is that you can walk where Harriet Tubman walked, where she lived, the Home for the Aged which she created, and the route she took to the market to see the produce she grew,” Claire Dunlap, Director of Marketing and Sales at Cayuga County Office of Tourism told The Hub News. “And just a mile down the road you can tour the Seward House Museum, which is considered one of the most complete home collections in the US. Less than 5 minutes from there, you can walk the paths of Fort Hill Cemetery, where both the Sewards and Harriet Tubman are laid to rest. This is not an exhaustive list, but of note is the number of sites in such a concentrated area.”
The newest redesign introduced to the app comes as Auburn welcomed another stop on the walking tour. In June, the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park debuted the opening of the Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.
The church has been in the process of restoration since 2017 when the national park was first established. After being burdened with a number of delays, including a lightning strike, water damage and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Zion church was opened to the public after a community event on June 22. The location is a pivotal part of Tubman’s history as both her place of worship and the location where she was buried following her death in 1913.
Through each stop, including the Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park aims to celebrate the hero’s core values.
“Community, humanitarian, and philanthropy,” said the representative. “These are woven throughout the storytelling. And making connections and finding opportunities around you to further your dreams and goals.”
