Photo: NPS PhotoHarriet Tubman National Historical Park preserves the Thompson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church that Tubman helped fundraise and build, along with the parsonage where visitors can explore her later life in Auburn. Families walk through the same spaces where Tubman lived from 1859 until her death in 1913, transitioning from her Underground Railroad conductor years to becoming a powerful advocate for women's suffrage and civil rights. The park uniquely showcases Tubman's post-Civil War activism, including her work establishing a home for elderly African Americans and her collaboration with other Auburn-based reformers. Unlike other Underground Railroad sites that focus primarily on escape routes, this park illuminates how Tubman built a community and continued fighting for justice throughout her entire life.
Junior Ranger Program at Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
The Junior Ranger program at Harriet Tubman National Historical Park engages young visitors through interactive activities that bring history to life, including completing age-appropriate booklets that explore themes of courage, freedom, and helping others. Kids will learn about the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman's remarkable journeys, and how they can be heroes in their own communities today.
- Meet park rangers in period dress who share stories of Harriet Tubman's brave rescues
- Explore the actual home where Harriet Tubman lived with her family
- Learn about the Underground Railroad through hands-on exhibits and activities
Program Details
Best Ages for Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
Ages 4–6
Young children connect well with basic stories about helping others and being brave, themes central to Tubman's legacy. The church setting provides a tangible connection to history, though families should plan for shorter visits since the main activities are indoors. Simple drawing and coloring activities typically help this age group engage with the historical concepts.
Ages 7–10
Elementary-aged kids grasp the Underground Railroad concepts more fully and can appreciate Tubman's strategic thinking and leadership skills. They typically enjoy learning about the coded language and secret signals used to help people escape slavery. The church architecture and historical artifacts provide concrete connections to abstract historical concepts.
Ages 11+
Older kids and teens can engage deeply with the complex social justice themes and understand Tubman's lifelong activism beyond just the Underground Railroad. They typically appreciate learning about her work with women's suffrage and how she established Auburn as a center for progressive reform. The program often challenges this age group to think about modern parallels to historical civil rights struggles.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
The Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church at 49 Parker Street has limited parking, so arriving early on Friday or Saturday is essential for van access. The separate Fort Hill Cemetery site where Tubman is buried operates independently with dawn-to-dusk hours and more flexible parking. Note that the park operates on a very limited schedule, open only Friday and Saturday from late May through October.
Van & RV Notes
Auburn's residential streets around the church can be challenging for larger RVs, but our 22-foot Sprinter fits well in the small church parking area when arriving early. Several city parks nearby offer day-use parking and picnic areas for lunch breaks. The nearby Finger Lakes region provides numerous campground options, though none are directly affiliated with the national park.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early fall offers the only opportunity to visit, as the park closes completely from November through May. Friday and Saturday visits between June and September provide the most consistent access to ranger programs and the visitor contact station. Summer weekend mornings offer the coolest temperatures for exploring the outdoor church grounds.
How Long to Spend
Plan a focused half-day visit since the park's limited operating hours and primarily indoor exhibits create a more concentrated experience than typical national parks. Families often combine this with nearby Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls for a full day of historical exploration.
Don't Miss
The Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church sanctuary where Tubman worshipped showcases beautiful period architecture and houses exhibits about her Auburn community connections. Families consistently find the stories about Tubman's later-life activism and her work establishing homes for elderly African Americans particularly inspiring and less commonly known than her Underground Railroad legacy.
Fun Facts for Kids
Harriet Tubman lived in Auburn for over 50 years, longer than anywhere else in her life, making it truly her chosen hometown
She helped raise funds to build the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church by selling vegetables from her garden and doing domestic work
Tubman was buried with military honors in 1913, recognizing her service as a spy and scout during the Civil War
Auburn was chosen as her home base because it was a center for the abolition movement and women's suffrage, surrounded by like-minded activists
Plan Your Stay
Save on park entry with the America the Beautiful Pass — $80 for unlimited access to all 400+ National Park sites for a full year.
Where to Stay
Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Parks to Earn More Badges
Fort Stanwix National Monument
Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome recreates a Revolutionary War fort where families can experience colonial military life through hands-on demonstrations and Junior Ranger activities
Steamtown National Historic Site
Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton brings railroad history alive with working locomotives, train rides, and exhibits perfect for transportation-loving kids
Women's Rights National Historical Park
Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls preserves the birthplace of the women's suffrage movement with interactive exhibits connecting to Tubman's later activism
See all Junior Ranger badges
Track your family's progress across every National Park Service site
View Badge Tracker