CAMBRIDGE, MD - In a remarkable discovery, a seldom-seen photograph of Harriet Tubman has recently resurfaced, shedding light on a pivotal moment in history. Alex Green, a Harriet Tubman historian, stumbled upon this extraordinary image while sorting through his archives.
At the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center in Cambridge, the museum's walls are adorned with an array of photos and paintings commemorating Tubman's legacy, but one particular photograph is not a part of the museum's collection.
"I'm up early one morning going through some stuff for content creation for the next day, and I run across this photo. I kind of breeze right through it because it's part of a collection that has been set back a long time," says historian Alex Green.
Believed to have been taken in 1907, approximately five years before Tubman's passing, the photograph captures a moment in Tubman's life when she had already achieved monumental feats such as leading the Underground Railroad. During this time the photo was taken, she was also actively involved in the women's suffrage movement.
Green, reflecting on the photograph, notes, "I can see on her face... the years of struggle." This poignant image offers a glimpse into Tubman's later years, showcasing the resilience and determination that defined her legacy.
This particular photograph is not the original copy; it was sent to Green. However, after consulting with fellow historians, he found that none had previously encountered this rare image. Despite being a copy, its significance remains undiminished.
"I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that has it. I know I'm not the only one that has it because somebody sent it to me. So, you know, I think it's relevant to today's connecting the past to the future," says Green.
This discovery provides a rare insight into Tubman's life, adding another layer to the rich history encapsulated by the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center. While the original photo is held by Tubman's family in Vermont, its reappearance underscores the ongoing relevance of preserving and sharing such historical artifacts.
Green also plans to open his own Tubman exhibit in Dorchester County. It will be called the Harriet Tubman Freedom Center.
