Auburn to Celebrate Harriet Tubman Weekend March 6th - 8th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 7, 2020

The Equal Rights Heritage Center Announces Harriet Tubman Weekend March 6 – 8, 2020

Auburn, NY – The city-wide celebration of Harriet Tubman, the famous abolitionist and former Auburn resident, will return on March 6-8, 2020 with an expanded weekend of events. Hosted by the Equal Rights Heritage Center, celebrations of Tubman's life and legacy are planned throughout Auburn’s historic and cultural sites and will include special guests Laureen Smith, who portrayed Martha Coffin Wright in Harriet, and Tubman interpreter Gwendolyn Briley-Strand.

Friday, March 6:

• Official Harriet Tubman Weekend Opening Ceremony at NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center & Auburn NY Visitor Center (5PM)
• First Friday events in City of Auburn, including Seward House Museum and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, other cultural sites, downtown businesses, and restaurants (5PM)
• See the film Harriet at Auburn Public Theater (1PM; Free)
• Harriet actress Laureen Smith will introduce film screening at Auburn Public Theater (7PM; Free)
• Rochester R&B Soul Artist Danielle Ponder in concert at Auburn Public Theater (7PM; $10)

Saturday, March 7:

• Seward House Museum offering free tours of "Forged in Freedom: The Bond of the Seward-Tubman Families" exhibit (10AM-5PM)
• Meet Harriet actress Laureen Smith at the Seward House Museum (11AM)
• Harriet Tubman National Historical Park offering tours (10AM-3PM)
• Honoring Harriet vendor showcase at NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center & Auburn NY Visitor Center (10AM)
• Honoring Harriet special program at NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center & Auburn NY Visitor Center feat. Harriet Tubman Freedom Music Festival's Sean McLeod; Genesee Elementary School Harriet Tubman Singers w/Perform 4 Purpose; and guest speaker Harriet Tubman National Historical Park Acting Superintendent Andrea DeKoter (12PM)
• Harriet actress Laureen Smith will moderate pre-screening panel feat. Tubman descendants and introduce the film at Auburn Public Theater (3PM; Free)
• See the film Harriet at Auburn Public Theater (7PM; Free)
• Gwendolyn Briley-Strand performs Harriet Tubman: The Chosen One at Carriage House Theater (7PM; $10)
   

 Sunday, March 8:

• Harriet Tubman National Historical Park open to the public with Harriet Tubman interpreter Gwendolyn Briley-Strand on site & NPS Ranger conducting an archeological dig for children (10AM-3PM)
• Syracuse Gospel Music Workshop directed by Dr. Joan Hillsman presents "The Life of Harriet Tubman: A Spiritual Journey Through Music" at Willard Chapel (2PM, $10)

The celebration aligns with the three-year anniversary of Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Maryland, making it a collective weekend of commemoration between Tubman’s birth and resting places.

Support for this project provided by New York State Women’s Suffrage Commission, created in 2017 to plan and execute programs to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York State, and Market New York through I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism as part of the Regional Economic Development Council awards. Other sponsors include the City of Auburn Historic and Cultural Sites Commission and the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn that is offering a Harriet Tubman Weekend rate of $99 per night to take advantage of the full weekend of events.

Equal Rights Heritage Center

The Equal Rights Heritage Center is the official welcome center and tourism hub for the City of Auburn, NY. It serves to shine a light on New York’s equal rights heritage, as well as, the historical, cultural, and entertainment assets the City of Auburn has to offer in a welcoming and educational manner. Learn more: visitauburnny.com

For more information please contact:
Courtney Kasper
Visitor Experience Manager
Equal Rights Heritage Center
(315) 258-9820
courtney@auburndowntown.org

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