In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe awakened a nation with Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel that exposed the horrors of slavery and fueled the abolitionist cause. Her words shook the conscience of America—so much so that President Abraham Lincoln reportedly greeted her with:

“So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.”

But what many don’t know is that Stowe found her peace in Mandarin, Florida. She spent winters here after the war, loving the area and the Patriarch Oaks we now seek to protect. Mandarin’s moss-draped oaks, the winding river, and abundant wildlife inspired her second book, Palmetto Leaves (1873)—a love letter to this very land.

“We are not yet tired of the beautiful views from our porch—mandarin groves in blossom, the St. John’s shimmering in the sunlight, and the live-oaks whispering peace.”

– Harriet Beecher Stowe, Palmetto Leave

If Harriet were alive today, what would she say about the bulldozers threatening to destroy these same groves and trees? About a federally funded sidewalk project approved under a “categorical exclusion”—bypassing environmental and historical review?

Would she not urge us to pause and consider the true cost?

This isn’t just about concrete. It’s about preserving the soul of a place that nurtured one of our nation’s most important voices. A place that still holds stories, roots, and peace.

JTA has not produced safety studies or vulnerability assessments submitted with the federal grant. Why?

We must ask: If this road was good enough for Harriet Beecher Stowe to find healing, why isn’t it worth protecting today? Without the canopy , there will be no healing . 

Take Action Now:

Sign and share the petition
Contact Jacksonville city leaders
Demand transparency and environmental accountability

Let’s honor Harriet’s legacy. Let’s protect Mandarin.

#SaveMandarin #HarrietWouldCare #PalmettoLeavesLiveOn