Proposed underground railroad corridor would go through Monroe County, unify historic sites

The Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State is proposing a new scenic byway to link historic sites associated with the Underground Railroad across the state. Named the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Corridor, this 500-mile route would extend from New York City to Niagara Falls, traversing 21 counties including Monroe. The initiative, spearheaded by Karen Kuhl of the Cayuga County Office of Tourism, aims to elevate the narrative of freedom seekers like Harriet Tubman who assisted enslaved people before the Civil War. Tubman, who lived in Auburn for over 50 years, is a central figure in this story. The proposed corridor not only seeks to boost tourism but also enhance public understanding of the historical journeys undertaken to achieve freedom. The corridor would potentially connect with the existing 200-mile Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway from Maryland to Philadelphia, further enriching the historical context and educational value of these routes. The consortium is working towards obtaining Scenic Byway status from state and federal governments to formally recognize this path. A public meeting is scheduled in Rochester at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 22, at Legacy Drama House, 112 Webster Ave.

Source: Democrat & Chronicle