06/19/2025
Happy Juneteenth!
We are excited to announce that in September 2025, with the support of local groups, the Myers will be given a new headstone that fully encapsulates their legacy and life’s work. More information on this event to come! In the meantime, enjoy learning more about her:
Harriet Myers: (Sec 98, Lot 2) was a prominent Black abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor in Albany, New York, during the mid-19th century. Alongside her husband, Stephen Myers — a formerly enslaved man — she played a pivotal role in assisting freedom seekers escaping enslavement.
The Myers operated a vital station on the Underground Railroad from their home at 194 Livingston Avenue, a Greek Revival townhouse built in 1847. Their residence served as a refuge for individuals fleeing enslavement, providing shelter, sustenance, and guidance on their journey to freedom.
Harriet was instrumental in managing the station, often overseeing operations. She demonstrated unwavering dedication to the cause, even during times when resources were scarce, by seeking assistance from other abolitionists to ensure the safety and well-being of the freedom seekers.
In addition to her work on the Underground Railroad, Harriet was an advocate for women's rights and played an active role in the abolitionist movement. She contributed to the editorial efforts of abolitionist newspapers and corresponded with prominent figures to garner support for the cause. Her commitment to justice and equality left an indelible mark on the fight against slavery and for civil rights.
Harriet Myers passed away on September 2, 1865, at the age of approximately 57. Her obituary in The Christian Recorder lauded her as a steadfast ally to the oppressed, noting her "kind and unremitting" assistance to freedom seekers.
Today, the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence stands as a testament to their legacy, preserved as a historic site and museum that educates the public about their contributions to the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad.
Information courtesy of Albany NY Guide and Albany Times Union.
