Harriet Tubman Gallery – Minty

Behind the art

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery around 1820, one of nine children. She was originally named Araminta Harriet Ross, and her parents called her “Minty.” An overseer accidentally struck Tubman over the head with a heavy metal object when she was a teenager. (The blow was meant for a runaway slave.) As a result of the head injury, she suffered from narcolepsy and experienced dreams and visions that she considered signs from God.