The National Park Service is moving forward with plans that could establish Auburn properties linked to Harriet Tubman as a national historic site, a move that may lead to substantial federal funding and a new management approach for the Tubman Home property.
The park service has issued a new progress report on its broad study into Tubman sites, and issued a set of management alternatives for how it could become involved. The agency is leaning toward a plan to make the Tubman Home and associated buildings into a national historic site that would be a unit of the National Park System.
Under that arrangement, NPS would hold an easement on the property and would manage the site jointly with the AME Zion Church, which currently owns the property. The NPS could be authorized to provide matching funds for the site, and it would bring staff to the site to develop and run interpretive programs.
In a 2006 study of Cayuga County attractions done by Randall Travel Marketing Inc., researchers said the photos and other wall hangings at the Tubman Home needed improved interpretations. The report stated it had “great potential” but needed help from people who understand interpretations, tourism and creating an experience for visitors.
The home has received significant funding for renovation and expansion in recent years, but the work itself has been slow to take off.
Last year, the Tubman Home reported having about 9,250 visitors. Cayuga County Tourism Director Meg Vanek said the potential to expand on that number is enormous if the site could get the professional expertise of the National Park Service.
“It just seems like a nice marriage of the two organizations,” she said of the church and NPS.
Officials with the Tubman Home did not return a phone call for comment.
The latest NPS progress report stems from a study that dates back to 2000, when it was ordered by Congress. The current list of alternatives also includes plans for sites in Dorchester County, Maryland, where Tubman was born. She lived much of her adult life in Auburn, where she died in 1913.
The National Park Service will issue a preliminary recommendation by late summer, said Barbara Mackey, a project manager for the NPS. It will then be subject to public review, and a final recommendation should go to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior by the end of the year. Ultimately, any action must be approved by Congress.
“There's actually quite a ways to go,” Mackey said.
But one person who will be pushing to move the plan forward is U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, who issued a press release Thursday announcing plans to introduce legislation on the matter. He said the end result could be millions of dollars for preservation and protection of the site.
“Harriet Tubman was undoubtedly one of the earliest and most honorable civil rights leaders, helping African-Americans escape slavery using the Underground Railroad,” Schumer said. “It is an honor to have such strong ties to Harriet Tubman#,s legacy in Auburn and this legislation will help preserve the memory of a true American hero. I will work to protect these historic sites so that New York#,s future generations will be able to learn from Harriet Tubman's courageous example.”
Schumer said NPS staff will be visiting Tubman sites in Auburn in the next few weeks as part of their fact-finding process.
The other two options outlined in the latest NPS progress report included making no changes or establishing an affiliation between the site and the NPS. Under that arrangement, both NPS management and funding would be limited.
More online
To read the full report from the National Park Service, read this story on the Web at auburnpub.com
The park service has issued a new progress report on its broad study into Tubman sites, and issued a set of management alternatives for how it could become involved. The agency is leaning toward a plan to make the Tubman Home and associated buildings into a national historic site that would be a unit of the National Park System.
Under that arrangement, NPS would hold an easement on the property and would manage the site jointly with the AME Zion Church, which currently owns the property. The NPS could be authorized to provide matching funds for the site, and it would bring staff to the site to develop and run interpretive programs.
In a 2006 study of Cayuga County attractions done by Randall Travel Marketing Inc., researchers said the photos and other wall hangings at the Tubman Home needed improved interpretations. The report stated it had “great potential” but needed help from people who understand interpretations, tourism and creating an experience for visitors.
The home has received significant funding for renovation and expansion in recent years, but the work itself has been slow to take off.
Last year, the Tubman Home reported having about 9,250 visitors. Cayuga County Tourism Director Meg Vanek said the potential to expand on that number is enormous if the site could get the professional expertise of the National Park Service.
“It just seems like a nice marriage of the two organizations,” she said of the church and NPS.
Officials with the Tubman Home did not return a phone call for comment.
The latest NPS progress report stems from a study that dates back to 2000, when it was ordered by Congress. The current list of alternatives also includes plans for sites in Dorchester County, Maryland, where Tubman was born. She lived much of her adult life in Auburn, where she died in 1913.
The National Park Service will issue a preliminary recommendation by late summer, said Barbara Mackey, a project manager for the NPS. It will then be subject to public review, and a final recommendation should go to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior by the end of the year. Ultimately, any action must be approved by Congress.
“There's actually quite a ways to go,” Mackey said.
But one person who will be pushing to move the plan forward is U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, who issued a press release Thursday announcing plans to introduce legislation on the matter. He said the end result could be millions of dollars for preservation and protection of the site.
“Harriet Tubman was undoubtedly one of the earliest and most honorable civil rights leaders, helping African-Americans escape slavery using the Underground Railroad,” Schumer said. “It is an honor to have such strong ties to Harriet Tubman#,s legacy in Auburn and this legislation will help preserve the memory of a true American hero. I will work to protect these historic sites so that New York#,s future generations will be able to learn from Harriet Tubman's courageous example.”
Schumer said NPS staff will be visiting Tubman sites in Auburn in the next few weeks as part of their fact-finding process.
The other two options outlined in the latest NPS progress report included making no changes or establishing an affiliation between the site and the NPS. Under that arrangement, both NPS management and funding would be limited.
More online
To read the full report from the National Park Service, read this story on the Web at auburnpub.com
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