NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Museum welcomed a traveling Harriet Tubman monument to their center on Wednesday, October 16.
It is a 13-foot bronze statue called "Beacon of Hope", created by an Academy and Emmy Award-winning sculptor Wesley Wofford of Wofford Sculpture Studio. The studio loaned the sculpture out to the museum, as a way to commemorate Harriet Tubman’s journeys to freedom through Niagara Falls via the International Suspension Bridge.
The monument will be at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Museum from now until January 2, 2025.
“Honoring Harriet Tubman’s crossing right here in the historic Suspension Bridge Village, informs more people about owning our own local history,” Saladin Allah, Director of Community Engagement said. “Many people know about the Underground Railroad, but know less about how freedom seekers crossed into the Canadian side, so as a Heritage Center we share those stories of the people who were instrumental in helping people reach the Canadian side.”
Ally Spongr DeGon, Interim Director, said, “Harriet Tubman as the 'Beacon of Hope' exemplifies the significance of the very last leg of her journeys to Canada, recognizing the power of place.”
The monument has traveled to Niagara Falls from Lake Placid. It has also been in Ohio, and will go to Florida after it's time in Niagara Falls.
On November 15, there will be a special evening event to commemorate Harriet Tubman and other freedom seekers' journeys. The event will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Underground Railroad Museum in Niagara Falls.
To learn more visit www.niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.org/about/events
