Thank you to Harriet Tubman for fighting for what is right!

Did "quilt codes" help Harriet Tubman guide those using The Underground Railroad? According to the Visitor's Center "Myths and Facts," this is a myth. Tubman did not use the "quilt code," a means of directing those fleeing using pictures on quilt blocks, because the code itself is a myth.  

Sunday we visited both the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National and State Park Visitor's Center, managed through a partnership of both. The Visitor Center is beautiful. It's new and full of state-of-the-art green elements, such as rain barrels and vegetative roofs.  

Harriet (originally Araminta or "Minty") Ross Tubman was born enslaved in a town called Buckman in Dorchester County, MD in 1822, near the site of these parks. Torn from her family at the age of 6, she endured years of torturous, inhumane treatment as a slave. She herself escaped slavery in 1849 traveling to Philadelphia using her faith, the north star, and The Underground Railroad. Despite the great danger to herself, she then led at least 13 missions to free 70 family members and friends, becoming one of the most successful "conductors" on The Underground Railroad. 

Harriet also served as a spy and nurse during the Civil War. Her passion for equality led her to challenge women's and African American inequalities through suffrage and civil rights activism.

Harriet rose above her oppressive beginnings.  With a thirst for freedom, a deep spiritual faith she says was tested, and a life-long humanitarian passion for family and community, she become one of America's most famous historic figures. She died in 1913.

Following an introductory film there was a self-guided tour through the visitor's hall.  This is one of the more than 30 stops located on the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway.  

Did you know Harriet was married twice? While still a slave she was married to a free black man whom she had to leave, and who later married someone else. Later she married again. Harriet and Nelson Davis adopted one child "Gertie," who died of tuberculosis.

A beautiful mural that filled an entire wall.

As usual it made me cry, which I guess is a good thing. A lot of printed information, which worked for adults, but there were a lot of younger children at the center too. I wish they had more displays and especially interactive displays for them. 

I have a problem completing projects in the motor home, partly because we are busy, move around frequently, and have limited space. Below is one of two cross-stitched Christmas stockings I mostly looked at for two years. While I was overwhelmed and thought it would take years, I started working on it in earnest in March and am proud to say I have the bottom half completed, less the backstitching

Where are the Piepers now?  Delaware Seashore State Park