As Black History Month draws to a close, it’s a pristine time to discuss the many Black individuals throughout history who have made their mark on society.
Among the most prominent and oft-discussed names is Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist and social activist who helped free dozens of enslaved individuals through the Underground Railroad.
At Gather Place Museum, the First Person Program helps bring history to life through first-person portrayals of figures such as Harriet Tubman, and several others.
On Jan. 20, 2026, Shirley Lee Corsey, Gather Place Museum’s executive director, presented “First-Person Reenactment: Harriet Tubman – Her Life, Her Legacy – A Journey Through Time,” in front of over 200 students at Charles Boehm Middle School.
This came together through the efforts of Mrs. Colleen Veitz, a 7th and 8th grade United States History teacher at Charles Boehm Middle School.
Each year, the Pennsbury School District provides its school teachers with information regarding various grant opportunities.
In her 7th grade American history class, Veitz teaches her students about American history through the Civil War period.
Just before that period was the Abolitionist Movement, of which Harriet Tubman was a prominent figure.
Upon learning about Gather Place’s First-Person Program, Veitz took an interest in bringing it to her school’s students, eventually writing a grant for it, which was ultimately approved.
The First Person Program presented a unique opportunity for the students.
“I thought it was a great extension of what the students were learning in class and just made it a little more meaningful for them,” said Veitz during an interview with American Community Journals.
The program brought an immersive educational experience for the students, as it explored Tubman’s life and what made her a symbol of resilience, courage, and justice through decades of struggle.
For Veitz, who has been teaching social studies at Charles Boehm since 2003, this program correlates with her passion for opening students’ eyes to the past and helping them understand how far we’ve come.
“It was something different, out of the ordinary,” said Veitz. “Seeing it firsthand, it was an opportunity that [the students] wouldn’t normally have in the classroom.”
This experience was also especially special for Lee Corsey, as she is an alumna of the Pennsbury School District.
“Bringing Harriet Tubman to life at my own alma mater was deeply personal. As one of the few little girls of color in those hallways years ago, I didn’t often see women who looked like me reflected in American history. To return now—as an African American woman, museum founder, and storyteller—and share Tubman’s full American story in my own voice is powerful representation,” Lee Corsey said. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, this is exactly what Gather Place Museum stands for—bringing history to life and ensuring the next generation sees themselves in the 250 years of courage, resilience, and achievement that shaped our nation.”
Now, it’s everyone else’s turn to experience what the Charles Boehm’s students and their teachers experienced.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, Gather Place Museum will present “Harriet Tubman – Her Life, Her Legacy.”
Experience a powerful, historically grounded first-person reenactment honoring the extraordinary life of Harriet Tubman. Through four compelling scenes, follow her journey from Araminta “Minty” Ross to the fearless freedom fighter known as “Moses.”
Performed by Shirley Lee Corsey, this one-hour educational program brings history to life—sharing Tubman’s fight for freedom, Civil War service, and lifelong humanitarian impact. Recently presented to 200 Pennsbury School District students, Harriet Tubman – Live! continues to inspire audiences of all ages.
“History does not live only on plaques. It lives in people, places, voices, and untold stories. We bring history to life—the voice of the voiceless!” said Lee Corsey.
To obtain your seat at Gather Place, visit https://pay.gatherplace.org/2d2fd958-4a95-4f1b-8008-549.
