{"id":38948,"date":"2025-02-03T16:45:15","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T16:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourcayuga.com\/?p=38948"},"modified":"2025-02-26T21:17:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T21:17:46","slug":"honoring-black-history-month-in-cayuga-county-ny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourcayuga.com\/blog\/honoring-black-history-month-in-cayuga-county-ny\/","title":{"rendered":"Honoring Black History Month in Cayuga County NY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on the rich contributions of Black Americans to our nation’s past, present, and future. Here in Cayuga County NY, we are deeply proud of and connected to this history\u2014from the courageous legacy of Harriet Tubman to the thriving Black-owned businesses and community members shaping our community today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Auburn, NY, is home to the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park<\/a>, and the Harriet Tubman Home <\/a>where visitors can walk the same paths as the iconic abolitionist, nurse, and humanitarian and famous conductor on the Underground Railroad.. Tubman, known as the “Moses of her people,” bravely led enslaved individuals to freedom via the Underground Railroad and later settled in Auburn, where she continued her life\u2019s work advocating for civil rights, women\u2019s suffrage, and community welfare. Her home, now part of the National Historical Park, stands as a testament to her enduring impact. \u201cHarriet Tubman had no map, and ended up here\u201d \u2013<\/em><\/strong> Cornelius Rosenbaum, she followed her heart map. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In November of 2024, the Maryland National Guard posthumously commissioned Tubman as a Brigadier General. During the Civil War, she worked as a spy, scout, nurse, cook and was the first woman in the U.S. to lead an armed military operation during a war. Read more here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Harriet Tubman\u2019s final resting place is at Fort Hill Cemetery <\/a>in Auburn, where visitors can pay their respects to one of the most influential figures in American history.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Auburn\u2019s historic institutions, like the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center<\/a>, Seward House Museum<\/a> (Seward Family, William H., Frances and children), and Howland Stone Store Museum<\/a> (Emily Howland), serve as reminders of the sacrifices and achievements of those who fought for justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marcellus (Ben) White, was the first black mayor of Port Byron, NY and some say the first black mayor in New York State. He was elected to office on March 16, 1971, and in 1975 he was presented with a key to the city of Auburn by then Mayor Paul Lattimore. Mayor White is remembered as a warm and caring man who loved his community and who left a legacy of firsts in the history of Port Byron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>
First Black Mayor in New York State<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Celebrating Black-Owned Businesses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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