I have saved writing this story for February and Black History Month.

It is about a pilgrimage taken by a class from Solvay Middle School to the Harriet Tubman historic site on South Street on Oct. 26, 2007.

The teacher Lynne Stenberg is my daughter, and after repeated attempts to contact the center for a tour of the site, she called me for help. I gave her the name of Pauline Johnson, the great-grandniece of Harriet. Through Pauline and her gracious assistance, it was soon arranged for this excited class of students to visit the home of their heroine Harriet Tubman.

The students for several months had reviewed every book about Harriet they could find. They learned she was a small woman no bigger than most of them, who had accomplished extraordinary feats from her sheer courage and determination. Their teacher and teacher assistants in the classroom understood how these children could identify with Harriet and her persistence. They were preparing for their social studies fifth grade state assessment.

What better way to visit the past than by viewing living history.

I was present when their small bus arrived at the center. I saw the hush the students exhibited when greeted by Pauline Johnson dressed as Aunt Harriet in a long black dress and spanking white lace over collar. She wore a headdress of a black bandanna just as Harriet would have used in her exploits rescuing the slaves over the freedom trail on the Underground Railroad. Black was necessary for cover at night when the slaves escaped and were on the run.

The students listened attentively to Mrs. Johnson tell them about “Aunt Harriet's” youth as a slave, and how Harriet was handicapped when struck with a 2-pound weight over a minor infraction as punishment.

She told how Harriet as a mere child herself, had to tend the overseers' baby and was beaten when the baby cried and kept the mistress awake.

Pauline told the rapt audience how she had “spells” all her life after that, but how determined Harriet Tubman was to get as many of her family and others to freedom and safety up north. She soon became the conductor on the Underground Railroad.

At the visitor center, the students learned how hanging quilts on a line were used to give silent signals to the slaves. They saw the wanted posters for her capture, and heard of the frustration of the officials because she always managed to elude them..

“She never lost a passenger,” they were told while watching the video to learn about slavery and the difficulties the slaves faced.

When the presentation was finished, each student had prepared a written question to ask about Harriet.

The next stop for the class was the Home for the Aged on the grounds. In later life, Harriet ran this home with the help of William H. Seward for indigent blacks. Christine Carter greeted them and they toured the downstairs of the house and kitchen. They were impressed to see her bedroom and the bed that she used in later years before her death.

It was a moving and a reverent experience to stop at Fort Hill Cemetery to visit her grave. Each student had prepared a oral tribute to recite. They were awed by the huge pine tree planted there, that marked her resting place.

I saw each child place a red carnation on her grave and read what they had written to her. One boy said, “I liked your courage. You were very brave.” A girl recited, “You are free with the angels.”

Pauline Johnson watched as each student made a gravestone rubbing to take home. She was the last one to place her carnation on the grave. I felt so privileged to be a part of this student trip. I trust everyone will feel the emotion I felt that day. The children had labored for months in preparation for this day.

We made a brief stop at the little clapboard church on Parker Street that Harriet helped to organize and was a founding member. I stepped aboard the little bus and told them how Cordelia Carter told me years ago that Harriet would clap her hands and dance in the aisles singing “When they ring them golden bells.”

I cannot help but see this feisty little lady doing just that.

Pauline and I followed the bus in my car to McDonald's, where we all had lunch together.

The children still came to our table and wanted to linger and still talk to their gentle, gracious host. She made such a impression on us all. Thank you Pauline.

Laurel Auchampaugh is the Owasco historian and can be reached at the Owasco Town Hall from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoons or at nowthenwasco@aol.com