Harriet Tubman has long been a hero to Upstate New Yorkers. She lived for more than half of her life in Auburn, New York in the Finger Lakes. Her path to freedom on the Underground Railroad led to Buffalo and Niagara Falls in Western New York where she transported refugees across the Niagara River into Canada. Many other towns and cities, including Binghamton, New York, saw refugees from slavery pass through them on their way to freedom. On March 21, 2025, Binghamton University of the State University of New York unveiled a new statue commemorating this pioneer of Black Liberation in the United States.
The statue is located on the Chenango Promenade along the river and is part of the Downtown Binghamton Freedom Trail. The statue is located behind the Binghamton University Downtown Center at 67 Washington St, Binghamton, NY 13902. The statue was constructed by sculptor Zoe Dufour. She told a reporter at the unveiling that:
“It is an incredible honor to commemorate an individual like Harriet Tubman,” said Dufour. “I want to spend my career sculpting individuals like her, that show us the best parts of humanity. She championed for rights and freedom against what must have felt like unassailable odds and was successful beyond what was imagined possible. She still captivates us today. Her story transcends time and is a reminder to hold hope hand in hand with action, rather than to give into despair.”
The statue is called “Leading the Way to Freedom.” Tubman is seen leading four refugees out of slavery using a lamp since she often moved at night. Binghamton University says the lamp also shows Tubman looking forward to see beyond the horizon when we are all free.
There is an interpretive sign detailing the life of Tubman. There are fifteen markers along the Trail describing Black contributions to ending slavery.
The Chenango River is immediately behind the statue.
I stopped by to photograph the statue in January 2026 so of course there was snow on the ground.
On the wall behind Tubman are four refugees escaping towards freedom in Canada. The wall also shows plants and grasses. This is to honor her skill as an herbalist. The monument also honors her role in the Civil War as a spy and a leader of soldiers. 259 men from the Binghamton area died during the conflict.
While Tubman’s statue is life size, the refugees, three adults and baby, are depicted in miniature. This is too bad. People passing by see the major statue but miss the people she is tryin to free.
The mother at the back of the figures is looking behind. Does she fear pursuers or is she longing for the family she is leaving behind.
The detail on the figures are remarkable.
After you visit, walk over to State Street where you can find several places to eat. One of my favorite places is a little bit further at 111 Chenango St at Little Venice for Italian food.
You can look down the river to where it joins up with the Susquehanna River which crosses over into Pennsylvania and then down into Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay. The river was used by Harriet Tubman to transport the refugees to New York.
The Chenango Promenade is a pretty place to take in the history of Binghamton, see beautiful environs, and learn about the natural environment. Many people use it for jogging and walking, and stop at the dozens of explanatory signs along its path.
On the east side of the statue, Tubman is looking at the Binghamton University Downtown Campus/
Note: All color photos in this post were taken by Patrick Young except as noted.
