New: Harriet Tubman Museum in Cape May.
Coronavirus is taking hold in the US and things are a bit uncertain right now. However, that won’t keep us from looking forward to summer. With the onset of warmer weather comes fun, sun and happy times at our Cape May Bed & Breakfast.
This year, however, we’re especially excited because a new museum and historic site will open in June. That’s right! Soon, Cape May will be home to the Harriet Tubman Museum, the opening of which is one of the most anticipated in the world.
Harriet Tubman Museum Opening
This is exciting news for our seaside town which is so committed to preserving and promoting history. Most people know about Cape May’s Victorian heritage and maritime legacy, but few know that the town played a pivotal role in the fight to end slavery. Harriet Tubman, for example, spent summers in Cape May between 1850 and 1852.
Tubman was a successful Underground Railroad conductor and abolitionist. It’s estimated she saved more than 300 slaves over the course of 10 years and 19 trips to the South. In Cape May, Harriet raised money to help escaped slaves build new lives in the North, serving as a cook and acquiring odd jobs.
According to the Museum’s website, “[The Museum] building is located on a block that anti-slavery activists called home. Lafayette Street and Franklin Street became a center of abolitionist activity [in Cape May], centered around three important buildings developed in 1846.” The museum will open on June 19 which is the day that Texas officially abolished slavery in 1865.
During your visit this summer, we highly recommend a visit to the Harriet Tubman museum. We also recommend these fun Cape May activities.
Cape May Activities
The beach. Cape May is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, such as Higbee Beach, Sunset Beach, and Poverty Beach. Because of our proximity to the beach, Queen Victoria guests can easily walk to the shore. We offer complimentary bicycles and beach chairs, however, if there is something else you need, additional beach gear is available to rent and can be delivered straight to The Queen Victoria courtesy of Geared Up Rentals.
Trolley tours. A Cape May Trolley Tour is a great way to get to know the town. The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities offers more than a dozen different tours from haunted experiences to historic jaunts, including a tour that covers Cape May’s role in the Underground Railroad.
Bike rides. Cape May is well-known as an idyllic local for cyclists. Our sea-level terrain is flat and easy to ride, plus traffic is far from aggressive (the scenery’s not so bad either). If you want to learn more about Cape May’s Victorian homes and historic sites, purchase a Cape May Bike Tour booklet for $5. For leisurely rides, try riding along Sunset Boulevard.
So, visit us this summer! The Queen Victoria has everything you need for a fantastic vacation in Cape May.
Image: harriettubmanmuseum.org