Earth Month in Harriet Tubman’s Hometown

In her chosen hometown of Auburn, NY, Harriet Tubman had a great appreciation of her land where she owned and operated her own farm for almost 50 years. She raised pigs, grew vegetables and tended an orchard with apple, pear and peach trees.

Understanding and respecting the earth and nurturing what bloomed was a way of life back then – and today, similar practices can be found throughout Cayuga County.

Earth Month (April) and Earth Day (April 22) shine a spotlight on practices we can put into place to help sustain our environment. (And with the total solar eclipse taking place on April 8, there’s even more attention being drawn to the majestic nature of our planet.) In the spirit of encouraging others to #BeLikeHarriet, we’re sharing a list of landmarks, restaurants, recreational activities and shops that will help you tap into your inner naturalist!

Discover Historical Environmentalism:

• Book a tour of the Harriet Tubman Home, part of Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, where you can see apple trees growing on the property where Harriet Tubman had her orchard. 
• Visit the Seward House Museum – once home to friends of Harriet Tubman, William and Frances Seward – to see its garden of herbs like mint and borage, tomatoes, cucumbers, pole beans, squash and much more, which they would’ve grown and eaten in the 1860s.
• Step back in time at the historic Howland Farm Museum, the original site of a 19th-century Cayuga County homestead that teaches lessons of the agricultural past to empower guests to create a sustainable, balanced future. 
• Explore farm life in the 19th and 20th centuries at the Ward O’Hara Agricultural & Country Living Museum. Bonus: After visiting the Museum, enjoy a picnic on the public beach at beautiful Owasco Lake!

Savor Farm-to-Table Freshness:

• Enjoy a meal at Elderberry Pond, an organic farm market and restaurant (opening mid- to late-March). Menu items range from soups, salads and hearty entrées, to even pizzas and burgers!
• Little Yard Farm (LYF) hosts the “Winnie and Evie’s Greenhouse Gatherings” series, which offer a bohemian-chic greenhouse dining experience. LYF also offers a meal delivery service featuring meals grown largely on the farm.
• When it’s time to unwind, savor a tasting of fruit and grape wines at The Apple Station Winery. Bonus: Come back during the fall season for apple picking!
  

Shop and Support Local, Sustainable Businesses:

• Visit Reuse Refuge and browse the ever-growing refill station along with a large selection of eco-friendly home goods, self-care products and fair-trade items.
• Regenerations is a great store selling up-cycled wares and home decor. Stop in to purchase items that are both unique and great for the planet, including products by The Yellow Wallpaper Co..
• If you are in northern Cayuga County, be sure to visit South Shore Artisans in Fair Haven, an artist co-op featuring a unique collection of fine and folk art – all crafted locally. Their shop will be open all eclipse weekend (April 5-9^th).
• Artistic Impressions– located in Auburn in historic Willard Memorial Chapel – is another great local store that’s home to unique, handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, décor cards, and more – many of which are created by local artisans. Bonus: After shopping take a tour of the chapel’s exquisite stained glass windows, intricate mosaics, designed by Tiffany Glass and  Decorating Co. of New York City. . Don’t miss this opportunity to explore one of the most unique and beautiful destinations in the Finger Lakes region!

Be One with Nature:

• A great way to appreciate our world is to get out into it! Enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, birdwatching and more at one of Cayuga County’s beautiful parks and trails.
• If you’ll be in the county during the total solar eclipse (April 8) – also being called the “Great Northern American Eclipse” – be sure to check our event calendar to see the various festivities local businesses are hosting during this momentous occasion.
• Take in the breathtaking sight of waterfalls, such as New Hope Mills Falls – two man-made falls that help power a historic mill still in use today. Also check out this complete list of Cayuga County waterfalls.
• Cayuga County offers a variety of recreational activities – both seasonal and year-round – including fishing, hiking and biking. See all outdoor recreation listings and plan your next adventure!