Wendy's trip log: Auburn, NY: Harriet Tubman, the Seward House and St. Patricks Day Celebrations

Auburn, NY

March 17th 2022

I said I would be back to Auburn and here I am. On this trip to Auburn I was set on visiting the Seward House. First I had to grab my traveling buddy Kelly and we did a quick stop at the new visitor center in Auburn where they have a wonderful little museum and information about Harriet Tubman. I have already blogged about my visit to the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, which I visited with Kelly, just before the pandemic in 2020, so I will not go into to much detail about this women's amazing accomplishments and her role in history.

I will say, that Auburn has made some major changes in the recognition of this women's place her in the Auburn community. I believe the city was granted funds to do some work around Harriet and her home as well as within the local area. I didn't revisit the national park on this trip, but had taken a drive by later and they have made significant improvements with the grounds and the area including a series of banners along the main road, and I do believe her personal residence, which was not accessible

or acknowledged on my last visit, has been undergoing reconstruction and will eventually be opened for visitations in the future.

Some of the pieces in the visitor center.

The city has also erected a statue of Harriet and a mural as part of this women's accomplishments in this community and this country.

As exciting as it is to see all the additional emphasis Auburn has made in recognizing this great woman, I had come to visit the Seward House. I had visited the grounds before, but had never actually been in the home or honestly knew anything about the man who once lived in this house. This time I was going to get an education, and my public library helped this to happen with free passes.

We entered the home and were assigned a tour within the next few minutes. We started in the foyer. This is where guest would wait and perhaps have a drink.

We learned a lot about William Henry Seward. He was born into a family of wealth in Florida, NY where he worked on his education and later moved to Georgia where he was invited to work as a principal of a school. While in Georgia he viewed the maltreatment of slaves. He later moved back to NY and studied law. He took up practice with Judge Elijiah Miller and later married his daughter Frances in Auburn NY.

Seward became involved in politics while in Auburn and was an inspiring member of multiple radical movement groups. In 1831, Seward was elected as a member of the NY senate, he moved to Albany leaving his wife and children in Auburn. Throughout his time in office he became a candidate for governor, but lost. He did become governor later in 1839. He wanted to widen the Erie canal, built three railroads and improve the education system. He noticed that many children were not going to school. Primary these were children of immigrants. He spent most of his time focused on this, but this mindset went against his Whig party philosophy. He met Abraham Lincoln while on the campaign trail while in Boston. Both he and Lincoln shared thoughts around slavery. In 1848, Seward was elected as the NY State Federal senate, and he then moved to Washington DC. He lost on nearly on all of his proposals during the 12 years he was acting in this position. In 1860, he became the leading republican elect for president. However, Lincoln became the elect. This was a surprise to Seward, and others, but it came back to his role as a governor in NY whereas he pushed for immigrants. Many republicans were against this.

Seward, in response to this, campaigns for Lincoln. New York state wanted an alternative then Lincoln and the state was confident that without the NY State elector votes Lincoln would not become the president. Seward was busy working on compromise with the Southern States to return to the Union.

Seward, as Lincolns leading senator is opposed to Lincoln reinforcing Fort Sumner predicting this will start the Civil War, which indeed it does after Lincon sends supplies only to create a larger divide between the North and the South. Seward was also involved in many foreign affairs. In 1861 he prevents the Trent crisis with France and Britian. He also works on the capture of spy's for domestic security of the country during the civil war. He and Lincoln also begin the development of the anti slavery bill, later the 13th amendment. During the night of Lincolns assignation, Seward was also targeted. He had been sick at the time and attacked with a knife. It was failed, but he has several cuts around his neck. Andrew Johnson becomes president and while during this time, Seward went on to purchase Alaska. Perhaps his best known act as Secretary to the senate.

Meanwhile, his wife Frances had been active in the abolitionist movement and the home, may have been a home on the underground railroad. This fact, is only in part factual through letters written between the couple when Frances would reference to " three packages arrived today." etc.

Our tour guide offered that Sewards daughter Fannie was often the teller of the family history through her many diaries. She spent much of her time with her father and was able to offer up information about his fathers role in his political career and details of the civil war. (pictured below is Fannie). She died at the age of 19 of TB.

It was at this table that several historical politicians sat and discussed future plans for the United states.

Fannie's bedroom.

The newspaper recounting the attempted assignation of Steward.

The basement of the home which is where it is believed the family assisted in the underground railroad.

Picture of Abe Lincoln, Steward, Edwin Stanton, Gideon Wells, Salmon Chase (and others I could not find the names of) work on the Emancipation Proclamation.

Frances and William,

The statue of Steward. What I found the most interesting about the tour beyond the beauty of the place was all of the history about Steward and his family. I am surprised that this man is not as well known, as he was an important voice behind our 16th president. His role during the country's early years and the Civil war and his views helped to change the outcome.

After our tour, Kelly and I met up with her friend for a late lunch then we headed out to the local Ancient Order of the Hibernians. An Irish club that opens to nonmembers for St. Patrick's day.