Auburn held a celebration of Harriet Tubman’s 200th birthday Saturday.
Related: AME Zion Church celebrates the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman (video)
The Citizen reports the tribute took place at the Equal Rights Heritage Center on South St. Fourth graders from Genesee Elementary School sang a song they wrote for the occasion, performing it with folk duo Magpie. Group members Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino have worked with the students on a Tubman tribute piece every year for the past nine years. Attendees were served strawberry cake. Strawberries are said to have been one of the Underground Railroad leader’s favorite foods.
Tubman mural in downtown Auburn will depict her life
Artist Arthur Hutchinson gave a talk about a Tubman mural planned for downtown Auburn. It will depict her work with the Underground Railroad, her membership at the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church, and other aspects of her life. The Harriet Tubman Boosters group is raising money to pay the $40,000 cost. The group says it’s raised about 80% of its goal.
Related: Renovation work underway at AME Zion Church in Auburn
The event was one of a series being held in Auburn this year. Juneteenth trolley rides are scheduled at the Equal Rights Heritage Center next Saturday. Juneteenth is the holiday celebrating the day slaves in Texas received the news of Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
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