Legislation in Congress would establish two memorial parks
Mention Harriet Tubman, and most schoolchildren will tell you she worked on the Underground Railroad to help slaves find their way north to freedom. They may not know exactly when or where this took place, but her name is a household word. Tubman was born in Dorchester County and lived there on a plantation from which she escaped after nearly 30 years of life as a slave. That escape happened in 1849, but she spent another 10 years in Dorchester and Caroline counties -- leading hundreds of African-Americans to freedom. She lived in New York state in her later years, where she established a home for the aged and spent her final years of life.
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She was known as "Moses" by abolitionists and reportedly, she never lost a "passenger" on the Underground Railroad.
More importantly, she is a true American hero who devoted her life to helping others find freedom.
Sadly, neither Dorchester nor Caroline county has established a fitting memorial or tribute to this noteworthy historic figure. But all four senators from Maryland and New York have introduced legislation to honor Tubman's life and accomplishments. Maryland's Sens. Benjamin Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, together with New York's Sens. Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, are seeking funding to establish two parks in Tubman's honor --$11 million in grants for The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Dorchester County and another $7.5 million in grants for The Harriet Tubman National Historic Park in Auburn to preserve, rehabilitate and restore properties associated with her life and work in Auburn, N.Y.
Maryland's park would include historically significant sites in Dorchester, Caroline and Talbot counties, including 2,200 acres in Caroline County comprising the Poplar Neck plantation from which Tubman escaped her own slavery in 1849; 725 acres across the Choptank River in Talbot County; and in Dorchester County, roughly 2,775 acres comprising a collection of parcels within the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge that are significant to the Tubman saga. Maryland's park would include construction of a Harriet Tubman State Park Visitors Center.
New York's portion would focus on Tubman's house, church and home for the aged.
The legislation also authorizes a new competitive $200,000 grant program for historically black colleges and universities, predominately black institutions and minority-serving institutions, specifically for use in scholarly research into the life of Tubman and the African-American experience during the years that coincide with Tubman's life.
It's time to properly recognize this civil rights leader, American hero and outstanding role model. Establishing these parks and scholarship grants is an excellent way to pay tribute to a famous, noteworthy Shore native.
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Sunday, August 3rd 2008 at 6:24PM
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