1 10 40 https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/ec1a069eadbc21d8c348bc1b4fb8970e.jpg 92131a262cf2396b9b34373816b042c9 https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/698b7316a02f08443dd3dc7be62688cc.jpg 31ec429c9e4f678df3bcc84e9c0a8c93 https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/0cd139b5bfd162a279fdfb33d191441f.jpeg 52171053d96e1209b06537f5a9063355 https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/cd063aca98205c8092a306c4c5248c02.jpg 473568dbae0ab13a8b85ff31df058420 https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/4e9683b2a5b1054cd85b9ff2b07b3b49.jpeg 529856a29f2feba92d256bfba13715da https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/2eeee21c77693600ba1a00c42869cd8f.jpeg 92827905be0379b4e89f4bf62c326626 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Black Abolitionists: Tubman, Douglass, Truth Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Written by Grace Yasumura Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Renée Ater Description An account of the resource The monuments and memorials in this collection commemorate the extraordinary achievements of three U.S. Black abolitionist and freedom seekers: Harriet Tubman, née Araminta Ross, (c. 1822-1913); Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895); and Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. During the next ten years, she made approximately thirteen trips into Maryland to rescue other enslaved family members and friends. She provided instructions for escape to about 70 more enslaved people who were able to self-emancipate. During the Civil War, she served the United States Army as a spy, scout, nurse and cook. As one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, the monuments in this section often depict Tubman leading groups of freedom seekers on their journey northwards to freedom, such as Mario Chiodo’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unwavering Courage in the Pursuit of Freedom</a>. In other works, such as Alison Saar’s <a href="https://www.harriettubmanmonuments.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swing Low</a>, Tubman is depicted alone, facing southward as she makes the perilous journey back to Maryland to free more enslaved people. One of the most brilliant orators of his generation, Frederick Douglass worked ceaselessly for the cause of abolition. Among his many achievements, Douglass became one of the early and important critical theorists of photography, a medium invented in 1839. In a series of lectures delivered between 1861-1865, Douglass argued that photography had the power to shape people’s understandings of race and as such could be deployed to resist distorted representations of African Americans. Douglass, who was exceptionally aware of the power of his own image, sat for a number of portraits over several decades, circulating his image widely. His photographic portraits serve as the basis for a number of the works in this collection, including Ivan Schwartz’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frederick Douglass</a>, created for the New York Historical Society. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797 in Swartekill, New York. She emancipated herself, escaping to freedom in 1826. During her 30-year career, she became a formidable force in several 19th-century reform movements, linking the struggles for Black freedom with women’s suffrage. Truth capitalized on both the affecting power of photography and its reproducibility to support her activism. She created carte-de-visite portraits of herself, which she copyrighted, adding the caption “I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance. Sojourner Truth.” As Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby explores in her book Enduring Truths: Sojourner’s Shadows and Substance (2015), Truth “made her photographic portrait worth money in order to end slavery—and also became the strategic author of her public self.” Commemorative works such as the <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/1b9f9d28475430765059a059a43787b2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sojourner Truth Memorial</a> in Florence, Massachusetts, are based on the photographic portrait that Truth so carefully created and circulated. Updated January 26, 2026 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Sculpture Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 90.55 in. (230 cm) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Harriet Tubman (Auburn, New York) Subject The topic of the resource Subject (Topic) Antislavery movements New York (State)--Auburn Public art Public sculpture Underground Railroad Subject (Name) Tubman, Harriet, 1822-1913 Subject (Object) Commemorative sculpture Description An account of the resource The seven-and-half foot tall (2.3 meters) bronze statue represents a young Harriet Tubman, traveling on the Underground Railroad. Clothed in nineteenth-century shawl, jacket, pleated skirt, and a pistol tucked into her satchel. Tubman strides forward with her booted foot visible below the hem of her skirt. She extends her left hand behind her as if signaling to an invisible group to follow closely on the arduous route to Canada. In her right hand, she holds the ring of a lantern, illuminating the pathway to freedom. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Hanlon, Brian P., 1961- Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Photographs by Renée Ater Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 13, 2018 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource George and Mary Cuthbert Family; Harriet Tubman Downtown Memorial Committee; Celebrate! Diverse Auburn; Harriet Tubman Boosters Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Visual Arts-Sculpture Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center, 25 South Street, Auburn, New York, 13021, United States Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Stainless steel plaque: "I was the conductor on the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can't say -- I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger." Harriet Tubman at a suffrage convention, NY, 1896 Harriet Tubman statue donated by the George and Mary Cuthbert family in honor of Edward L. Cuthbert Jr. who believed that Harriet's life was an inspiration to all of humankind. Dedicated November 2018 Sculptor Brian P. Hanlon Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Bronze Extent The size or duration of the resource. 90.55 in. (230 cm) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center, 25 South Street, Auburn, New York, 13021, United States Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. Ater, Renée. "NY State Network to Freedom: Harriet Tubman Statue and Equal Rights Heritage Center, Auburn." On Monuments Blog, April 27, 2020. https://www.reneeater.com/on-monuments-blog/2020/4/17/ny-state-network-to-freedom-harriet-tubman-statue-and-equal-rights-heritage-center-auburn. References A related resource that is referenced, cited, or otherwise pointed to by the described resource. Monument and Myth: Commemorating Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad bronze figurative lantern pistol https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/951ece6f02e080e45df0fb538940f529.jpg c182a12d25cf93fdd853322c4d2f5169 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Black Abolitionists: Tubman, Douglass, Truth Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Written by Grace Yasumura Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Renée Ater Description An account of the resource The monuments and memorials in this collection commemorate the extraordinary achievements of three U.S. Black abolitionist and freedom seekers: Harriet Tubman, née Araminta Ross, (c. 1822-1913); Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895); and Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. During the next ten years, she made approximately thirteen trips into Maryland to rescue other enslaved family members and friends. She provided instructions for escape to about 70 more enslaved people who were able to self-emancipate. During the Civil War, she served the United States Army as a spy, scout, nurse and cook. As one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, the monuments in this section often depict Tubman leading groups of freedom seekers on their journey northwards to freedom, such as Mario Chiodo’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unwavering Courage in the Pursuit of Freedom</a>. In other works, such as Alison Saar’s <a href="https://www.harriettubmanmonuments.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swing Low</a>, Tubman is depicted alone, facing southward as she makes the perilous journey back to Maryland to free more enslaved people. One of the most brilliant orators of his generation, Frederick Douglass worked ceaselessly for the cause of abolition. Among his many achievements, Douglass became one of the early and important critical theorists of photography, a medium invented in 1839. In a series of lectures delivered between 1861-1865, Douglass argued that photography had the power to shape people’s understandings of race and as such could be deployed to resist distorted representations of African Americans. Douglass, who was exceptionally aware of the power of his own image, sat for a number of portraits over several decades, circulating his image widely. His photographic portraits serve as the basis for a number of the works in this collection, including Ivan Schwartz’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frederick Douglass</a>, created for the New York Historical Society. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797 in Swartekill, New York. She emancipated herself, escaping to freedom in 1826. During her 30-year career, she became a formidable force in several 19th-century reform movements, linking the struggles for Black freedom with women’s suffrage. Truth capitalized on both the affecting power of photography and its reproducibility to support her activism. She created carte-de-visite portraits of herself, which she copyrighted, adding the caption “I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance. Sojourner Truth.” As Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby explores in her book Enduring Truths: Sojourner’s Shadows and Substance (2015), Truth “made her photographic portrait worth money in order to end slavery—and also became the strategic author of her public self.” Commemorative works such as the <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/1b9f9d28475430765059a059a43787b2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sojourner Truth Memorial</a> in Florence, Massachusetts, are based on the photographic portrait that Truth so carefully created and circulated. Updated January 26, 2026 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Harriet Tubman Monument (Beaufort, South Carolina) Subject The topic of the resource Subject (Topic) Antislavery movements--United States Freedom Public art Public sculpture  South Carolina--Beaufort Slavery--South Carolina United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States Colored Troops Subject (Name) Tubman, Harriet, 1822-1913 Subject (Object Type) Commemorative sculpture Description An account of the resource The monument depicts Harriet Tubman, co-leader of the military operation now known as the Combahee River Raid (also called the Combahee Ferry Raid), which took place in South Carolina on June 1, 1863. During the raid, more than 700 enslaved people liberated themselves using riverboats under Tubman’s command. Harriet Tubman stands as a central figure atop a large pedestal, her right hand grasping a walking stick and her left hand extended backward toward the people. She wears a head wrap, a shawl tied at the waist, and a long, pleated skirt. Tubman is flanked by bas-relief wings that depict two Union soldiers and fifteen people seeking freedom. The Union soldiers, positioned on either side, stand in uniform with rifles held upright, their butts resting on the ground. The people seeking freedom—eight on one side and seven on the other—emerge from the textured bronze and are shown walking. Some carry bundles of belongings at their sides or on their heads; others hold the hands of children. A relief of a nineteenth-century steamboat and plaques with inscriptions are located on the front of the monument. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dwight, Ed, 1933- Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 1, 2024 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tabernacle Baptist Church (owner and funder); Private donations Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Tabernacle Baptist Church, 901 Craven Street, Beaufort, South Carolina, 29902, United States Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Visual Arts-Sculpture Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Tabernacle Baptist Church, 907 Craven St, Beaufort, South Carolina, 29902, United States Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Bronze Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Renée Ater Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. Makin, Ken. “A Civil War Hero Got a New Statue. Her Name Is Harriet Tubman.” The Christian Science Monitor, June 14, 2024. Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Arts/2024/0613/civil-war-statue-harriet-tubman-ed-dwight." Nelson, Kara. “Harriet Tubman Led a Raid That Freed More Than 700 Enslaved People. A South Carolina Church Has Built a Statue in Her Honor.” CNN, June 18, 2024. Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/18/us/tubman-combahee-river-south-carolina-reaj/index.html. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 168 in. (426.72 cm) Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Inscription on a plaque on the front of the base: HARRIET TUBMAN CO-LEADER OF THE RAID AT COMBAHEE RIVER June 1, 1863 Inscription on a plaque below the previous plaque on the front of the base: ED DWIGHT Sculptor Text on a plaque near the monument: Boston Commonwealth - Boston July 10, 1863 HARRIET TUBMAN Col. Montgomery and his gallant band of 300 black soldiers, under the guidance of a black woman, dashed into the enemy's country, struck a bold and effective blow, destroying millions of dollars worth of commissary stores, cotton and lordly dwellings, and striking terror to the heart of rebeldom, brought off near 800 slaves and thousands of dollars worth of property, without losing a man or receiving a scratch! It was a glorious consummation. After they were fairly disposed of in the Beaufort church, they were addressed in strains of thrilling eloquence by their gallant deliverer; to which they responded in a song. "There is a white robe for thee." A song so appropriate and so heartfelt and cordial as to bring unbidden tears. The colonel was followed by a speech from the black woman who led the raid, and under whose inspiration it was originated and conducted. For sound sense and real native eloquence, her address would do honor to any man, and it created a great sensation. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Photograph: <a href="https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Arts/2024/0613/civil-war-statue-harriet-tubman-ed-dwight" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ken Makin</a>, Christian Science Monitor bas-relief bronze Civil War figurative portrait https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/bc84819b1097fa04d89f43809eb457e4.jpg b584f975849d550af3c6deb87fda8b3a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Black Abolitionists: Tubman, Douglass, Truth Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Written by Grace Yasumura Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Renée Ater Description An account of the resource The monuments and memorials in this collection commemorate the extraordinary achievements of three U.S. Black abolitionist and freedom seekers: Harriet Tubman, née Araminta Ross, (c. 1822-1913); Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895); and Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. During the next ten years, she made approximately thirteen trips into Maryland to rescue other enslaved family members and friends. She provided instructions for escape to about 70 more enslaved people who were able to self-emancipate. During the Civil War, she served the United States Army as a spy, scout, nurse and cook. As one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, the monuments in this section often depict Tubman leading groups of freedom seekers on their journey northwards to freedom, such as Mario Chiodo’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unwavering Courage in the Pursuit of Freedom</a>. In other works, such as Alison Saar’s <a href="https://www.harriettubmanmonuments.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swing Low</a>, Tubman is depicted alone, facing southward as she makes the perilous journey back to Maryland to free more enslaved people. One of the most brilliant orators of his generation, Frederick Douglass worked ceaselessly for the cause of abolition. Among his many achievements, Douglass became one of the early and important critical theorists of photography, a medium invented in 1839. In a series of lectures delivered between 1861-1865, Douglass argued that photography had the power to shape people’s understandings of race and as such could be deployed to resist distorted representations of African Americans. Douglass, who was exceptionally aware of the power of his own image, sat for a number of portraits over several decades, circulating his image widely. His photographic portraits serve as the basis for a number of the works in this collection, including Ivan Schwartz’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frederick Douglass</a>, created for the New York Historical Society. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797 in Swartekill, New York. She emancipated herself, escaping to freedom in 1826. During her 30-year career, she became a formidable force in several 19th-century reform movements, linking the struggles for Black freedom with women’s suffrage. Truth capitalized on both the affecting power of photography and its reproducibility to support her activism. She created carte-de-visite portraits of herself, which she copyrighted, adding the caption “I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance. Sojourner Truth.” As Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby explores in her book Enduring Truths: Sojourner’s Shadows and Substance (2015), Truth “made her photographic portrait worth money in order to end slavery—and also became the strategic author of her public self.” Commemorative works such as the <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/1b9f9d28475430765059a059a43787b2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sojourner Truth Memorial</a> in Florence, Massachusetts, are based on the photographic portrait that Truth so carefully created and circulated. Updated January 26, 2026 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Sculpture Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North to Freedom-Harriet Tubman Statue (Pomona, California) Subject The topic of the resource Subject (Topic) Antislavery movements--United States California--Pomona Freedom Public art Public sculpture Underground Railroad Subject (Name) Tubman, Harriet, 1822-1913 Subject (Object Type) Commemorative sculpture Description An account of the resource A bronze sculpture of Harriet Tubman stands atop a rugged granite base. With her right foot stepping forward, Tubman strides confidently, her right hand pointing toward the sky. She wears a copper-toned hat, a satchel, and pleated skirt, a double-breasted jacket, and laced boots. There is an inscription on the front of the monument’s base. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Brown, Manuelita, 1941- Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 14, 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Ray Adamyk and Michelle Adamyk (commissioned, funded, and donated the monument); The Art In Public Places Program (funded installation); City of Pomona Cultural Arts Commission Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource City of Pomona, Cultural Arts Commission, 505 South Garey Avenue, Pomona, California, 91766, United States Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Visual Arts-Sculpture Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Lincoln Park, Historic District, Lincoln Avenue, Pomona, California, 91767, United States Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Bronze; Granite Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Renée Ater Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Inscription on the front of base: “God’s time is always near. He set the North Star in the heavens. He gave me the strength in my limbs; He meant I should be free.” — Harriet Tubman — Inscription on the bronze plaque in the front of base: CITY OF POMONA CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION “North To Freedom” Manuelita Brown 2023 Installation funded by The Art In Public Places Program Statue donated by Ray & Michelle Adamyk Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Photograph: <a href="https://www.thepomonan.com/theopera/the-flawed-process" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Pomonan</a> Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. National Sculpture Society. “Manuelita Brown’s Harriet Tubman Unveiled - National Sculpture Society,” July 29, 2022. Accessed August 13, 2024. https://nationalsculpture.org/news-events/manuelita-browns-harriet-tubman-unveiled/. Stallworth, Leo. “Harriet Tubman Sculpture Unveiled in Pomona.” ABC7 Los Angeles, July 5, 2022. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://abc7.com/harriet-tubman-statue-pomona-unity-walk-manuelita-brown/12018545/. bronze figurative granite inscription portrait https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/7b770ddd009b1e14d8aee73769212655.jpeg 61a6822b1324146db308408cb28fbe06 https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/e43ae51b6372cb23d78a5f157eabe056.jpeg 543807d93c2a4300b05979996cd9bea0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Black Abolitionists: Tubman, Douglass, Truth Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Written by Grace Yasumura Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Renée Ater Description An account of the resource The monuments and memorials in this collection commemorate the extraordinary achievements of three U.S. Black abolitionist and freedom seekers: Harriet Tubman, née Araminta Ross, (c. 1822-1913); Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895); and Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. During the next ten years, she made approximately thirteen trips into Maryland to rescue other enslaved family members and friends. She provided instructions for escape to about 70 more enslaved people who were able to self-emancipate. During the Civil War, she served the United States Army as a spy, scout, nurse and cook. As one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, the monuments in this section often depict Tubman leading groups of freedom seekers on their journey northwards to freedom, such as Mario Chiodo’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unwavering Courage in the Pursuit of Freedom</a>. In other works, such as Alison Saar’s <a href="https://www.harriettubmanmonuments.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swing Low</a>, Tubman is depicted alone, facing southward as she makes the perilous journey back to Maryland to free more enslaved people. One of the most brilliant orators of his generation, Frederick Douglass worked ceaselessly for the cause of abolition. Among his many achievements, Douglass became one of the early and important critical theorists of photography, a medium invented in 1839. In a series of lectures delivered between 1861-1865, Douglass argued that photography had the power to shape people’s understandings of race and as such could be deployed to resist distorted representations of African Americans. Douglass, who was exceptionally aware of the power of his own image, sat for a number of portraits over several decades, circulating his image widely. His photographic portraits serve as the basis for a number of the works in this collection, including Ivan Schwartz’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frederick Douglass</a>, created for the New York Historical Society. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797 in Swartekill, New York. She emancipated herself, escaping to freedom in 1826. During her 30-year career, she became a formidable force in several 19th-century reform movements, linking the struggles for Black freedom with women’s suffrage. Truth capitalized on both the affecting power of photography and its reproducibility to support her activism. She created carte-de-visite portraits of herself, which she copyrighted, adding the caption “I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance. Sojourner Truth.” As Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby explores in her book Enduring Truths: Sojourner’s Shadows and Substance (2015), Truth “made her photographic portrait worth money in order to end slavery—and also became the strategic author of her public self.” Commemorative works such as the <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/1b9f9d28475430765059a059a43787b2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sojourner Truth Memorial</a> in Florence, Massachusetts, are based on the photographic portrait that Truth so carefully created and circulated. Updated January 26, 2026 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Sculpture Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 300 in. (762 cm) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shadow of a Face: Harriet Tubman Monument (Newark, New Jersey) Subject The topic of the resource Subject (Topic) Antislavery movements--United States Black Power movements--New Jersey--Newark Civil rights movements--United States Freedom New Jersey--Newark Public art Public sculpture Underground Railroad Subject (Name): Tubman, Harriet, 1822-1913 Subject (Object Type): Commemorative sculpture Description An account of the resource A larger-than-life metal structure outlining a figure of Harriet Tubman stands at the site where a statue of Christopher Columbus once stood. Two sloped and offset semi-circular walls surround the metal structure. One of the walls is made of unfinished concrete; on its outer perimeter is a striking relief of Harriet Tubman’s face, assembled like a puzzle. On the inner perimeter are a series of blue tiles featuring varied designs. The other semi-circular wall, known as the Learning Wall, is composed of metal and wood planks. Its outer perimeter features a timeline of Harriet Tubman’s life, while the inner perimeter presents paragraphs of text under the heading Newark’s Black Liberation Heritage. The central metal structure in anchored to the ground with six vertical metal beams, along with six horizontal beams that extend over the Learning Wall, forming a trellis-like structure representing Tubman’s cloak. At night, a series of ground lights encircle the monument, illuminating the metal structure and trellis, backlighting the Newark’s Black Liberation Heritage text, and highlighting the bench beside the concrete wall. On-site, the viewer can hear oral histories from members of the Newark community responding to the question, “What is your story of liberation?” as well as Queen Latifah’s narration of Tubman’s stories and Newark’s history. Community members were also invited to carve abstract representations of their narratives into the blue tiles, which appear on the concrete wall alongside their recorded stories. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource John, Nina Cooke, 1973- Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Photographs by Renée Ater Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 9, 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Audible (recorded oral histories; funder); The City of Newark (funder); the Mellon Foundation (funder); and individual residents in partnership with The Newark City Parks Foundation, Newark Arts, The Newark Museum of Art, and the Newark Public Library. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource City of Newark, City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey, 07102, United States Relation A related resource Harriet Tubman Monument Project Videos Series, https://vimeo.com/showcase/tubman-monument-newark. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Visual Arts-Sculpture Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Harriet Tubman Square Park, 531 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey, 07102, United States Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Iron; Concrete; Wood Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Renée Ater Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. Cooke John, Nina. “Harriet Tubman Monument-Studio Cooke John.” Accessed August 13, 2024. https://www.cookejohn.com/harriet-tubman-monument. Hobson, Janell. "Harriet Tubman's 'Shadow of a Face': New Monument Advances Inclusive History." Ms., March 9, 2023. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://msmagazine.com/2023/03/09/harriet-tubman-monument-newark-nj/. Nayyar, Rhea. “Harriet Tubman Monument Unveiled in New Jersey.” Hyperallergic, March 9, 2023. Accessed August 14, 2024. https://hyperallergic.com/807193/harriet-tubman-monument-unveiled-in-newark-new-jersey/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 300 in. (762 cm) Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Inscription on the inner perimeter of the metal wall, left to right: Newark’s Black Liberation Heritage Newark’s Black community has a long history of activism for liberation. For more than 250 years, free and enslaved Blacks worked for the liberation of themselves and others, building a community of activists and standing up boldly for their civil rights. This work served as the foundation for the political activism and cultural force of today’s Newark. First Africans in New Jersey The African presence in New Jersey dates back to the 1600s. The earliest known evidence of enslaved Africans in Newark appears in slave owner Azariah Crane’s will, dated 1721. The earliest documented “self-liberation” in Newark was by a 35-year-old Black man named Charles, who ran away from his enslaver, Emanuel Cocker, in 1748. Black Soldiers in the Revolution The American Revolutionary War (1775-83) advanced the ideals of universal human equality but left intact the economic and social underpinnings of slavery. Some enslaved Africans saw the Revolution as an opportunity to advance their individual and community liberation. Jack Cudjo Banquante, a native-born African enslaved by Benjamin Coe of Newark, was the only known Black Newarker to gain his freedom in recognition of his heroism in the Revolutionary War. Freedom Seekers in New Jersey Beginning in the early 1800s, fugitive slaves from Southern states increasingly came through New Jersey on their journey to Northern states and Canada, where they hoped to live as free individuals. The Underground Railroad—the secretly organized network of institutions, safe houses, and like-minded Black and White abolitionist activists—operated in several states including New Jersey and assisted individuals in their strategies for freedom. New Jersey Safe Houses New Jersey had twelve confirmed safe houses as part of the Underground Railroad. Newark’s known safe house, located at 70 Warren Street, was built in 1830 by Jacob D. King, a leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (the first Black church in Newark) and a founding member of the Colored Anti-Slavery Society of Newark. Newark’s Black Churches Newark’s Black religious institutions were multifaceted sites for racial pride, education, community organizing, Underground Railroad activism, and fundraising for Black liberation. In 1849, Frederick Douglass spoke at the Colored Presbyterian Church to promote his newspaper, The North Star, and to rally the city’s vibrant Black abolitionist community for the cause of freedom. Colored Anti-Slavery Society The Colored Anti-Slavery Society of Newark was one of the first Black-led anti slavery organizations in the country. Organized in 1834 by local clergy and working-class Blacks, the Society called for an immediate end to slavery in New Jersey and worked tirelessly towards it. White Abolitionists Newark-based white abolitionists also fought for the immediate end to slavery. Some, not all, believed that Blacks should have full civil rights here in the United States, while some advocated for a mass relocation of free Blacks to Africa. The goal of the American Colonization Society, for instance, was to gradually settle free Blacks and emancipated slaves in Liberia. Black Business Owners Many of the earliest successful Black Newark business owners were important supporters of the Underground Railroad. For instance, it is believed that Black stagecoach owners were essential to the network. Transporting people to New York City and other major towns gave them the cover to assist fugitive slaves on their route to freedom. The goal of the American Colonization Society, for instance, was to gradually settle free Blacks and emancipated slaves in Liberia. Anti-Abolitionist Interests In the mid-1800s, Newark’s leaders openly opposed abolitionist calls to federally end slavery, fearing it would destroy the city’s valuable customer base in the South. In 1839, a public meeting chaired by Newark’s mayor and attended by the city’s leading politicians, industrialists, and merchants resolved that the federal government should not intervene in Southern states’ choice to continue slavery, thus preserving their economic and financial interests. New Jersey Abolished Slavery In his first act as governor of New Jersey, Marcus L. Ward, a Newark native who lived at 51 Washington Street, secured the state’s ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on January 23, 1866. As the last state in the Union to fully abolish slavery, New Jersey joined its neighbors in supporting the freedom of all Black people. abstract concrete iron portrait wood https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/1de4473a723c03e56a7ba5710f3f05ba.jpg 4e9edb22c90a0f3d5975e25c9f70023d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Black Abolitionists: Tubman, Douglass, Truth Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Written by Grace Yasumura Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Renée Ater Description An account of the resource The monuments and memorials in this collection commemorate the extraordinary achievements of three U.S. Black abolitionist and freedom seekers: Harriet Tubman, née Araminta Ross, (c. 1822-1913); Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895); and Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. During the next ten years, she made approximately thirteen trips into Maryland to rescue other enslaved family members and friends. She provided instructions for escape to about 70 more enslaved people who were able to self-emancipate. During the Civil War, she served the United States Army as a spy, scout, nurse and cook. As one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, the monuments in this section often depict Tubman leading groups of freedom seekers on their journey northwards to freedom, such as Mario Chiodo’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unwavering Courage in the Pursuit of Freedom</a>. In other works, such as Alison Saar’s <a href="https://www.harriettubmanmonuments.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swing Low</a>, Tubman is depicted alone, facing southward as she makes the perilous journey back to Maryland to free more enslaved people. One of the most brilliant orators of his generation, Frederick Douglass worked ceaselessly for the cause of abolition. Among his many achievements, Douglass became one of the early and important critical theorists of photography, a medium invented in 1839. In a series of lectures delivered between 1861-1865, Douglass argued that photography had the power to shape people’s understandings of race and as such could be deployed to resist distorted representations of African Americans. Douglass, who was exceptionally aware of the power of his own image, sat for a number of portraits over several decades, circulating his image widely. His photographic portraits serve as the basis for a number of the works in this collection, including Ivan Schwartz’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frederick Douglass</a>, created for the New York Historical Society. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797 in Swartekill, New York. She emancipated herself, escaping to freedom in 1826. During her 30-year career, she became a formidable force in several 19th-century reform movements, linking the struggles for Black freedom with women’s suffrage. Truth capitalized on both the affecting power of photography and its reproducibility to support her activism. She created carte-de-visite portraits of herself, which she copyrighted, adding the caption “I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance. Sojourner Truth.” As Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby explores in her book Enduring Truths: Sojourner’s Shadows and Substance (2015), Truth “made her photographic portrait worth money in order to end slavery—and also became the strategic author of her public self.” Commemorative works such as the <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/1b9f9d28475430765059a059a43787b2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sojourner Truth Memorial</a> in Florence, Massachusetts, are based on the photographic portrait that Truth so carefully created and circulated. Updated January 26, 2026 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Sculpture Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 156 in. (396.24 cm) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Traveling Exhibition: Harriet Tubman - The Beacon of Hope (Cape May, New Jersey) Subject The topic of the resource Subject (Topic) Antislavery movements--United States Enslaved persons--Emancipation Freedom New Jersey--Cape Mary Public art Public sculpture Underground Railroad Subject (Name) Tubman, Harriet, 1822-1913 Subject (Object Type) Commemorative sculpture Description An account of the resource A bronze sculpture of Harriet Tubman stands firmly atop an oxen yoke. She stares into the eyes of the viewer, offering a golden key. Her right hand is raised, encircled by a rose compass—both adorned in gold leaf. Underneath the yoke lie countless chains and shackles, some open, others closed. The base features inscriptions on the front and back, bearing her name and the title of the work. In many of the cities, the monument is accompanied by a plaque featuring a quote by Harriet Tubman and Wesley Wofford’s artist statement. Created in 2023, the monument was designed to travel across the United States. Since then, it has been displayed at the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center in Cape May, New Jersey (2023); the Government Office Building in Salisbury, Maryland (2023-2024); City Hall Plaza in Rahway, New Jersey (2024); the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio (2024); the corner of Central Avenue and North Division Street in Peekskill, New York (2024); and the John Brown Farm State Historic Site in Lake Placid, New York (2024), with more locations planned in 2024 and beyond. For the sake of clarity, CMSP has decided to document this monument only once, based on the information from its initial showing. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Wofford, Wesley, 1972- Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 1, 2023 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wesley Wofford, Wofford Sculpture Studio, P.O. Box 2927, Cashiers, North Carolina 28717, United States Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Visual Arts-Sculpture Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 101 Lehigh Ave, Cape May Point, New Jersey, 08212, United States Has Version A related resource that is a version, edition, or adaptation of the described resource. Wesley Wofford made a permanent version of this monument, bearing the same name. Located in front of the Dorchester County Courthouse in Cambridge, Maryland, the permanent monument includes a figure of young Araminta Ross beside Harriet Tubman. See <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1244" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beacon of Hope: Harriet Tubman Monument</a> in this database. Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Bronze Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Renée Ater Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. Wofford, Wesley. “Harriet Tubman - The Beacon of Hopw - Wofford Sculpture Studio.” Accessed August 13, 2024. https://www.woffordsculpturestudio.com/exhibitions/harriet-tubman-the-beacon-of-hope. "Beacon of Hope Sculpture." Cape May Point Arts and Science Center. https://www.capemaypointsciencecenter.org/beacon-of-hope-sculpture. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 156 in. (396.24 cm) Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Inscription on the front of the base: THE BEACON OF HOPE Inscription on the back of the base: HARRIET TUBMAN Beside the monument, a plaque reads: HARRIET TUBMAN - THE BEACON OF HOPE "I WAS THE CONDUCTOR OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FOR EIGHT YEARS, AND I CAN SAY WHAT MOST CONDUCTORS CAN'T SAY—I NEVER RAN MY TRAIN OFF THE TRACK AND I NEVER LOST A PASSENGER." — HARRIET TUBMAN Artist Statement - Wesley Wofford, FNSS "HARRIET TUBMAN-THE BEACON OF HOPE DEPICTS THE TRANSFORMATION OF TUBMAN FROM HER DIFFICULT ORIGINS TO BECOMING A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM AND AN AMERICAN ICON. SHE IS A FREE WOMAN REACHING DOWN WITH AN ENCOURAGING HAND TO THE VIEWER, AND UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, THE VIEWER DISCOVERS A GOLDEN KEY IN HER HAND. THIS "GENERATIONAL KEY" INSPIRES VIEWERS TO REACH WITHIN THEMSELVES TO UNLOCK THE INNER STRENGTH TO FORGE THEIR OWN DESTINY JUST AS TUBMAN DID. THE OXEN YOKE IS A METAPHOR FOR THE YOKE OF SLAVERY AND SHE CRUSHES THIS BROKEN OBSTACLE TO THE POINT OF SNAPPING IT. IT ALSO ILLUSTRATES THE LEGENDARY STORY OF YOUNG ARAMINTA SINGLE HANDEDLY STEERING A TEAM OF OXEN FOR HER FATHER. THE PILED SHACKLES AND CHAINS DEPICT ALL OF THE LIVES ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE SCOURGE OF SLAVERY. THE OPEN SHACKLES REPRESENT THOSE FREED BY TUBMAN AND OTHERS ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, WHILE THE LOCKED ONES DEPICT THOSE NOT LIBERATED UNTIL AFTER THE CIVIL WAR. THE CLOSED MANACLES ALSO SYMBOLIZE THE UNFINISHED WORK AHEAD OF US ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVING A JUST AND EQUITABLE FUTURE FOR ALL. WHILE TUBMAN USED THE NORTH STAR TO NAVIGATE OUT OF BONDAGE, SHE THEN BECAME THE COMPASS ROSE TO THE THOUSANDS OF ENSLAVED WHO FOLLOWED HER GUIDING LIGHT TO FREEDOM. THE BEACON OF HOPE IS A MONUMENT THAT TELLS HARRIET TUBMAN'S STORY, SO THAT ALL MAY LEARN FROM IT; THAT AMPLIFIES HER MESSAGE OF EQUALITY, SO THAT ALL MAY HEAR IT; AND THAT CHRONICLES HER JOURNEY, WITH THE HOPE THAT WE ALL FIND THE INSPIRATION AND THE COURAGE TO WALK IN HER FOOTSTEPS." Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Photograph by <a href="https://www.drba.net/sites/default/files/2023-10/beacon_of_hope_by_frank_scott.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frank Scott</a>, Delaware River & Bay Authority bronze chains figurative North Star shackles https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/141d9dbb2e7881a7852412eed9dbb906.jpeg df303338c5cabb6ae7566606365cda3c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Black Abolitionists: Tubman, Douglass, Truth Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Written by Grace Yasumura Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Renée Ater Description An account of the resource The monuments and memorials in this collection commemorate the extraordinary achievements of three U.S. Black abolitionist and freedom seekers: Harriet Tubman, née Araminta Ross, (c. 1822-1913); Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895); and Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. During the next ten years, she made approximately thirteen trips into Maryland to rescue other enslaved family members and friends. She provided instructions for escape to about 70 more enslaved people who were able to self-emancipate. During the Civil War, she served the United States Army as a spy, scout, nurse and cook. As one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, the monuments in this section often depict Tubman leading groups of freedom seekers on their journey northwards to freedom, such as Mario Chiodo’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unwavering Courage in the Pursuit of Freedom</a>. In other works, such as Alison Saar’s <a href="https://www.harriettubmanmonuments.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swing Low</a>, Tubman is depicted alone, facing southward as she makes the perilous journey back to Maryland to free more enslaved people. One of the most brilliant orators of his generation, Frederick Douglass worked ceaselessly for the cause of abolition. Among his many achievements, Douglass became one of the early and important critical theorists of photography, a medium invented in 1839. In a series of lectures delivered between 1861-1865, Douglass argued that photography had the power to shape people’s understandings of race and as such could be deployed to resist distorted representations of African Americans. Douglass, who was exceptionally aware of the power of his own image, sat for a number of portraits over several decades, circulating his image widely. His photographic portraits serve as the basis for a number of the works in this collection, including Ivan Schwartz’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frederick Douglass</a>, created for the New York Historical Society. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797 in Swartekill, New York. She emancipated herself, escaping to freedom in 1826. During her 30-year career, she became a formidable force in several 19th-century reform movements, linking the struggles for Black freedom with women’s suffrage. Truth capitalized on both the affecting power of photography and its reproducibility to support her activism. She created carte-de-visite portraits of herself, which she copyrighted, adding the caption “I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance. Sojourner Truth.” As Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby explores in her book Enduring Truths: Sojourner’s Shadows and Substance (2015), Truth “made her photographic portrait worth money in order to end slavery—and also became the strategic author of her public self.” Commemorative works such as the <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/1b9f9d28475430765059a059a43787b2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sojourner Truth Memorial</a> in Florence, Massachusetts, are based on the photographic portrait that Truth so carefully created and circulated. Updated January 26, 2026 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Sculpture Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 108 in. (274.32 cm) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Traveling Exhibition: Harriet Tubman - The Journey to Freedom (Montgomery, Alabama) Subject The topic of the resource Subject (Topic) Alabama--Montgomery Antislavery movements--United States Enslaved persons--Emancipation Freedom Public art Public sculpture Underground Railroad Subject (Name): Tubman, Harriet, 1822-1913 Subject (Object Type): Commemorative sculpture Description An account of the resource The sculpture depicts Harriet Tubman and a young girl caught in brisk motion against the wind, navigating treacherous terrain. Tubman’s left foot rests on an elevated platform, propelling them forward while her right foot pushes upward toward the incline. She grips the collar of her jacket with her left hand, as her right arm twists back to support the girl following behind her. The girl holds Tubman’s right arm with her left hand and grasps Tubman's right index finger between her thumb and forefinger. Tubman’s skirt partially covers the girl’s lower half. Near the girl’s bare feet lie a set of broken shackles. This monument was created in 2020 with the intention of traveling across the United States. Since then, the monument has traveled to the following locations: The Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Pavilion in Montgomery, Alabama (2020); Harriet Tubman Museum in Cape May, New Jersey (2020 and 2021); Dorchester County Courthouse in Cambridge, Maryland (2020); Newburgh Free Library in Newburgh, New York (2020); Jan Peek Square in Peekskill, New York (2020); Halifax State Historic Site in Halifax, North Carolina (2021); Haverstraw African American Memorial Park in Haverstraw, New York (2021); Bridge Park in Sylva, North Carolina (2021); Philadelphia City Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2022); Renaissance Plaza in White Plains, New York (2022); The Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, New York (2022); Washington Square Park in Rochester, New York (2022); Ulster County Office Building in Kingston, New York (2022-2023); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (2023); Button Farm Living History Center in Germantown, Maryland (2023); The Frampton Plantation House in Yemassee, South Carolina (2023); Joseph Rainey Park in Georgetown, South Carolina (2023); Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina (2023-2024); Legacy Plaza in Montgomery, Alabama (2024); The Kerr Community Center in Bastrop, Texas (2024); and the International African American Museum in Charlestown, South Carolina (2024). Additional locations are scheduled for 2025 and beyond. For the sake of clarity, CMSP has decided to document this monument only once, based on the details from its initial unveiling. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Wofford, Wesley, 1972- Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Photograph by Wofford Sculpture Studios Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 28, 2020 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wesley Wofford, Wofford Sculpture Studio, P.O. Box 2927, Cashiers, North Carolina, 28717, United States Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Visual Arts-Sculpture Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant The Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Pavilion, 122 Commerce Street Montgomery, Alabama, 36104, United States Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Bronze Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Renée Ater Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. Wofford, Wesley. “Harriet Tubman - The Journey to Freedom - Wofford Sculpture Studio.” Accessed August 13, 2024. https://www.woffordsculpturestudio.com/exhibitions/harriet-tubman. Welsh, Mickey. "The New Harriet Tubman Statue at the EJI Pavilion." Montgomery Advertiser, February 1, 2020. Accessed August 13, 2024. https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2020/02/01/new-harriet-tubman-statue-eji-pavilion/4633204002/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 108 in. (274.32 cm) Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Inscription on the front of the base: THE JOURNEY TO FREEDOM Inscription on the back of the base: HARRIET TUBMAN Beside the monument, a plaque reads: HARRIET TUBMAN - THE JOURNEY TO FREEDOM Artist Statement: “In 1858, Harriet Tubman bravely returned to the slave state of Maryland to lead an 8-year-old girl to the free state of New York via the Underground Railroad network. Harriet later adopted the girl and there is speculation that she was Harriet's actual daughter or niece. I used this story as a launching point of historical reference around which I built the composition. The contours of the base are the Maryland/Delaware Peninsula where Harriet was originally enslaved and to which she frequently returned for her freedom raids. The dramatic ledge represents the Mason-Dixon line into free Pennsylvania, an important milestone in the journey to freedom. Harriet is leaning into the wind with her shoulder; eyes cut formidably up, bracing herself against the elements. The wind illustrates the peril of the journey and serves as a metaphor for the intense opposition she faced. Harriet's dress is protectively enveloping the girl. Her skirt, billowing like a flag, signifies the legal protections afforded to every United States citizen and a symbol of the future equality to come. Each hand on the sculpture expresses an attribute: Determination, Protection, Fear, and Trust. With a look of trepidation, the child is leaning out to get a better sense of what lies ahead. She holds Harriet's finger affectionately, her cautious hope echoed in her delicate grip. The child is off-balance and tentatively taking a step forward, her foot precariously close to the edge of the cliff. The shackles are broken; they have left the bonds of slavery behind them.” Wesley Wofford, FNSS Wofford Sculpture Studio www.woffordsculpturestudio.com bronze chains figurative portrait shackles https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/227fcca055883a0d10219743558ff0f5.jpg a392acd856e1cb414545e9b0593fe107 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Black Abolitionists: Tubman, Douglass, Truth Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Written by Grace Yasumura Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Renée Ater Description An account of the resource The monuments and memorials in this collection commemorate the extraordinary achievements of three U.S. Black abolitionist and freedom seekers: Harriet Tubman, née Araminta Ross, (c. 1822-1913); Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895); and Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. During the next ten years, she made approximately thirteen trips into Maryland to rescue other enslaved family members and friends. She provided instructions for escape to about 70 more enslaved people who were able to self-emancipate. During the Civil War, she served the United States Army as a spy, scout, nurse and cook. As one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, the monuments in this section often depict Tubman leading groups of freedom seekers on their journey northwards to freedom, such as Mario Chiodo’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unwavering Courage in the Pursuit of Freedom</a>. In other works, such as Alison Saar’s <a href="https://www.harriettubmanmonuments.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swing Low</a>, Tubman is depicted alone, facing southward as she makes the perilous journey back to Maryland to free more enslaved people. One of the most brilliant orators of his generation, Frederick Douglass worked ceaselessly for the cause of abolition. Among his many achievements, Douglass became one of the early and important critical theorists of photography, a medium invented in 1839. In a series of lectures delivered between 1861-1865, Douglass argued that photography had the power to shape people’s understandings of race and as such could be deployed to resist distorted representations of African Americans. Douglass, who was exceptionally aware of the power of his own image, sat for a number of portraits over several decades, circulating his image widely. His photographic portraits serve as the basis for a number of the works in this collection, including Ivan Schwartz’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frederick Douglass</a>, created for the New York Historical Society. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797 in Swartekill, New York. She emancipated herself, escaping to freedom in 1826. During her 30-year career, she became a formidable force in several 19th-century reform movements, linking the struggles for Black freedom with women’s suffrage. Truth capitalized on both the affecting power of photography and its reproducibility to support her activism. She created carte-de-visite portraits of herself, which she copyrighted, adding the caption “I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance. Sojourner Truth.” As Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby explores in her book Enduring Truths: Sojourner’s Shadows and Substance (2015), Truth “made her photographic portrait worth money in order to end slavery—and also became the strategic author of her public self.” Commemorative works such as the <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/1b9f9d28475430765059a059a43787b2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sojourner Truth Memorial</a> in Florence, Massachusetts, are based on the photographic portrait that Truth so carefully created and circulated. Updated January 26, 2026 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Sculpture Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 156 in. (396.24 cm) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Beacon of Hope: Harriet Tubman Monument (Cambridge, Maryland) Subject The topic of the resource Subject (Topic) Antislavery movements--United States Enslaved persons--Emancipation Freedom Maryland--Cambridge Public art Public sculpture Underground Railroad Subject (Name)  Tubman, Harriet, 1822-1913 Subject (Object Type): Commemorative sculpture Description An account of the resource Facing true North, a bronze monument of Harriet Tubman and her younger self, Araminta Ross, stands atop a granite base. With her right foot planted firmly on an oxen yoke, Tubman uses her left foot to propel herself upward. She gazes into the eyes of Araminta Ross, handing her a golden key. Tubman's right hand is raised, encircled by a rose compass—both adorned in gold leaf. Araminta Ross’ hand hovers over the key as she looks up at Harriet Tubman. She is seated atop countless chains and shackles, some open and others closed. The base features rugged steps on either side of the figures, with inscriptions on both the front and back. Parallel to the monument, an open-faced book atop a podium presents an overview of Tubman's life.  The back of the podium features the sculptor Wesley Wofford's description of the monument in his own words. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Wofford, Wesley, 1972- Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Photograph: <a href="https://harriettubmanbyway.org/newhtbw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DayOfResilience_Sept2022_ByJillJasuta-4023.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jill Jasuta</a> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 10, 2022 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Rock of Ages (granite base); William V. Sipple & Son Monuments (base engraving); Alpha Genesis Community Development Corporation (funder); The City of Cambridge (granite base); Dorchester County Government (site preparation) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource City of Cambridge, 410 Academy Street, Cambridge, Maryland, 21613, United States Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Visual Arts-Sculpture Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Dorchester County Circuit Courthouse, 206 High Street Cambridge, Maryland, 21613, United States Has Version A related resource that is a version, edition, or adaptation of the described resource. Wesley Wofford made a traveling version of this monument without the figure of young Araminta Ross. Instead, Harriet Tubman looks and holds her hand out to the public. See <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Traveling Exibition: Harriet Tubman - The Beacon of Hope</a> in this database. Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Bronze; Blue gray granite; Gold leaf; Concrete; Brick Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Renée Ater Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. “‘Beacon of Hope’ Statue Honors Tubman in Her Homeland.” Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, May 21, 2024. Accessed August 7, 2024. https://harriettubmanbyway.org/new-beacon-of-hope-harriet-tubman-statue-finds-permanent-home-in-her-homeland/. Miller, Lauren. “The Beacon of Hope Statue Has Been Unveiled.” WBOC, September 10, 2022. Accessed August 7, 2024. https://www.wboc.com/news/the-beacon-of-hope-statue-has-been-unveiled/article_0bb23378-316c-11ed-91b1-8fe4ec0d16d4.html. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 156 in. (396.24 cm) Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Inscription on the front of the base: HARRIET TUBMAN BORN ARAMINTA ROSS 1822 DORCHESTER COUNTY MARYLAND Inscription on the back of the base: ARAMINTA ROSS, ENSLAVED CHILD OF THIS LAND NOURISHED BY THE LOVE OF HER FAMILY FORTIFIED BY HER COMMUNITY AND GOD EDUCATED BY MOTHER NATURE FORGED BY FATHER TIME COURAGES OF HEART, OBSERVER OF INJUSTICE EYES SKYWARD, DESTINY’S KEY IN HAND DAUGHTER OF SLAVERY, NOW HARRIET TUBMAN LEADER TO FREED . . . OUR NORTH STAR Left (verso) page of the inscription on the book atop the Tubman biographical bronze podium: Harriet Tubman (c. March 1822 – March 10, 1913) was an American abolitionist, political activist, liberator, nurse, war hero and human rights advocate. Born Araminta Ross to enslaved parents in Dorchester County, Maryland, she made the treacherous journey north in 1849, hoping to escape slavery and the constant fear of being sold south. She settled in Philadelphia and changed her name to Harriet, after her mother. Soon thereafter, despite the danger, Tubman returned to Maryland to rescue her family. One of her first daring rescues was from here, the site of the Dorchester County Courthouse. She subsequently made at least 13 missions to liberate approximately 70 enslaved people, using a network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. Right (recto) page of the inscription on the book atop the Tubman biographical bronze podium: It was Tubman’s experiences in Dorchester County — both horrific slavery and love of God and family — that were the basis for forming her into the woman she became. Her legacy and her commitment to the ideals of true freedom and equality have made her an icon of courage and determination that is still relevant today. The impetus for this sculpture came during a tumultuous time for our country, a time of heightened social unrest coupled with a deadly pandemic. Yet, in Dorchester County, a grassroots movement arose, uniting a diverse community inspired by our shared admiration and respect for Tubman’s legacy. Two hundred years after Tubman’s birth, we unveiled “The Beacon of Hope” in 2022, celebrating our common experiences and shared values that form a foundation of respect and admiration to build a more equitable future. Inscription on the back of the Tubman biographical bronze podium, artist statement: HARRIET TUBMAN The Beacon of Hope Not far from here, Araminta Ross was struck in the head with a scale counterweight at the Bucktown General Store, an injury she attributed to her having visions. In many ways this event marked the beginning of Harriet Tubman’s own storied journey towards freedom which resulted in the liberation of hundreds of other enslaved people. As young Araminta lifted herself from the ground, she had her first vision of the strong woman she would become. The sculpture depicts Harriet reaching down to help her younger self up and offering her a key to remove the shackle from her little arm. Also, with this “generational key” Araminta unlocked her inner strength to forge her own destiny: the rebirth of Araminta Ross as Harriet Tubman. The oxen yoke is a metaphor for the yoke of slavery and Harriet crushes this broken obstacle to the point of snapping it. It also illustrates Dorchester County’s legendary story of young Minty single handedly steering a team of oxen for her father. The pilled shackles and chains depict all of the lives adversely affected by the scourge of slavery. The open shackles represent those freed by Harriet while the locked ones depict those left behind. The close manacles also symbolize the unfinished work ahead of us essential to achieving a just and equitable future for all. While Harriet used the North Star to navigate out of bondage, she then became the compass rose to the thousands of enslaved who followed her guiding to Freedom — Wesley Wofford, FNSS Sculptor Transcription of audio that plays from QR code on the back of the Tubman biographical bronze podium: Hello, my name is Wesley Wofford. I'm the sculptor of the Beacon of Hope, the statue where you are currently standing. I just wanted to point out a couple of special things about the statue for you to discover as you walk around it. This is an origin story statue of Harriet Tubman, so Araminta Ross was born an enslaved child here in Dorchester County. There was an event in the Bucktown General Store where she was hit in the head with a two-pound weight; and, I invite you to find the two-pound weights lying at her feet; and, in that moment, she was knocked on conscious and she attributes that event to her future visions. She also attributes that event to becoming Harriet Tubman. So this sculpture is about the young Araminta Ross having her first vision and the vision is of her future self giving her the inner strength to forge her own destiny. Look for the key. There's a generational key and it's also a key that will unlock the shackle on her arm. There's lots of symbolism built into the piece, but it's meant so that it can be reinterpreted by the viewers and their own perspectives. I invite you to use your own perspectives to find something meaningful in the sculpture that directly relates to you. The other part of the story of the statue is that Harriet Tubman used the North Star to navigate out of Cambridge to freedom and she later became that North Star for others to follow; thus, the transformation of her hand into the North Star via the symbol of a rose compass, and so she becomes a symbol of strength that we can all draw from two hundred years later. bronze chains concrete figurative granite North Star shackles https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/0740b38e49bdaefb69c539a922a2d0d7.jpeg 3eb03e5222b27d5d4385761fe494a19e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Black Abolitionists: Tubman, Douglass, Truth Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Written by Grace Yasumura Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Renée Ater Description An account of the resource The monuments and memorials in this collection commemorate the extraordinary achievements of three U.S. Black abolitionist and freedom seekers: Harriet Tubman, née Araminta Ross, (c. 1822-1913); Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895); and Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. During the next ten years, she made approximately thirteen trips into Maryland to rescue other enslaved family members and friends. She provided instructions for escape to about 70 more enslaved people who were able to self-emancipate. During the Civil War, she served the United States Army as a spy, scout, nurse and cook. As one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, the monuments in this section often depict Tubman leading groups of freedom seekers on their journey northwards to freedom, such as Mario Chiodo’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unwavering Courage in the Pursuit of Freedom</a>. In other works, such as Alison Saar’s <a href="https://www.harriettubmanmonuments.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swing Low</a>, Tubman is depicted alone, facing southward as she makes the perilous journey back to Maryland to free more enslaved people. One of the most brilliant orators of his generation, Frederick Douglass worked ceaselessly for the cause of abolition. Among his many achievements, Douglass became one of the early and important critical theorists of photography, a medium invented in 1839. In a series of lectures delivered between 1861-1865, Douglass argued that photography had the power to shape people’s understandings of race and as such could be deployed to resist distorted representations of African Americans. Douglass, who was exceptionally aware of the power of his own image, sat for a number of portraits over several decades, circulating his image widely. His photographic portraits serve as the basis for a number of the works in this collection, including Ivan Schwartz’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frederick Douglass</a>, created for the New York Historical Society. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797 in Swartekill, New York. She emancipated herself, escaping to freedom in 1826. During her 30-year career, she became a formidable force in several 19th-century reform movements, linking the struggles for Black freedom with women’s suffrage. Truth capitalized on both the affecting power of photography and its reproducibility to support her activism. She created carte-de-visite portraits of herself, which she copyrighted, adding the caption “I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance. Sojourner Truth.” As Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby explores in her book Enduring Truths: Sojourner’s Shadows and Substance (2015), Truth “made her photographic portrait worth money in order to end slavery—and also became the strategic author of her public self.” Commemorative works such as the <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/1b9f9d28475430765059a059a43787b2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sojourner Truth Memorial</a> in Florence, Massachusetts, are based on the photographic portrait that Truth so carefully created and circulated. Updated January 26, 2026 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Sculpture Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 84 in. (213.36 cm) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sojourner Truth Statue (Highland, New York) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bagwell, Vinnie, 1957- Subject The topic of the resource Subject (Topic) Antislavery movements--United States Freedom New York (State)--Highland Public art Public sculpture Women--Suffrage Subject (Name) Truth, Sojourner, c. 1797-1883 Subject (Object Type) Commemorative sculpture Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 26, 2020 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource New York State Women's Suffrage Commission; Modern Art Foundry; Fine Arts Specialists Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Visual Arts-Sculpture Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, 87 Haviland Road, Highland, New York, 12528, United States Extent The size or duration of the resource. 84 in. (213.36 cm) Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Bronze Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Renée Ater Description An account of the resource Vinnie Bagwell's seven-foot-tall bronze statue of Sojourner Truth reveals a bespectacled, a middle-aged woman who stares resolutely forward, her head turned slightly to the right. Bagwell, perhaps taking inspiration from this undated carte de visite of Truth, shows Truth with her right arm outstretched by her side and a cane in her left hand. The folds of her skirt contain bas-reliefs from moments in Truth's life including images of a young enslaved mother comforting her child, a slavery sale sign, images of her abolitionist peers, and a poster for a Women's Suffrage March. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Photograph: <a href="http://timeshudsonvalley.com/stories/celebrating-womens-suffrage,19999" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudson Valley Times</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York, 12207, United States Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. Press Release. "New York State Announces Unveiling of Sojourner Truth Statue at The Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park." August 26, 2020. Accessed February 19, 2025. https://www.governor.ny.gov/unveiling-sojourner-truth-statue-walkway-over-hudson-state-historic-park. Santistevan, Ryan. "Sojourner Truth Statue Installed at Highland's Walkway Over the Hudson Welcome Center." Poughkeepsie Journal, August 18, 2020. Accessed February 19, 2025. https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/local/2020/08/18/sojourner-truth-statue-installed-walkway-over-hudson-highland/5596247002/. Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Informational plaque about the Sojourner Truth Statue: Isabelle Baumfree (Bomefree) was born enslaved in Ulster County among Dutch people. As Sojourner Truth she became one of the nation's leading voices for abolition and universal suffrage in the nineteenth century. She "walked away by day light," freeing herself from slavery one year before legal enslavement ended in New York. Following her deeply held religious views she traveled as an intinerant preacher, speaking "truth" to the harsh inequalities people of color and women suffered, while calling for systemic change. Naming herself Sojourner Truth, she became known for her strong mind and remarkable gift of language, which she used tirelessly for human rights. Throughout her life, Sojourner Truth fought for justice for all under the law. She won several court cases tied to the rights of Black women, including regaining her illegally-sold son and later defending herself against slander. Her imposing stature, remarkable oratory skills, and melodic voice propelled Truth to the forefront in the national debates on abolition, suffrage, and the flight of those formerly enslaved. Sojourner Truth's belief in equal rights for all humans has kept her in the public consciousness and allowed her to become a symbol for strength and change during the Civil Rights and Women's Movements of the 20th century. Statue Inscriptions A. "The Truth is Powerful and It Prevails." B. Three Spirals C. "Negroes for Sale" sign D. Mother, Son and Hand E. Heart Symbol (Adinkra) F. Isabella Baumtree G. Influenctial Faces H. Female Warrior I. Abolitionist Poster J. Dutch and Braille Translations "We are now trying for liberty that requires no blood--that women shall have their rights, not rights from you. Give them what belongs to them." --Sojourner Truth Vinnie Bagwell, Artist A native of New York State, Ms. Bagwell is a multi-disciplinary artist, sculptor, painter, writer, illustrator, and graphic designer. She has completed numerous public art commissions including a bronze of "The Lady of Jazz Ella Fitzgerald," which was the first public artwork of a contemporary African American woman to be commissioned by a municipality in the United States. Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Adinkra symbols bas-relief bronze figurative portrait https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/9653d3f9cee2d7063549cfa5a591a1db.jpg de150f9a21ea8ebf789edb423bad517e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Black Abolitionists: Tubman, Douglass, Truth Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Written by Grace Yasumura Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Renée Ater Description An account of the resource The monuments and memorials in this collection commemorate the extraordinary achievements of three U.S. Black abolitionist and freedom seekers: Harriet Tubman, née Araminta Ross, (c. 1822-1913); Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895); and Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. During the next ten years, she made approximately thirteen trips into Maryland to rescue other enslaved family members and friends. She provided instructions for escape to about 70 more enslaved people who were able to self-emancipate. During the Civil War, she served the United States Army as a spy, scout, nurse and cook. As one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, the monuments in this section often depict Tubman leading groups of freedom seekers on their journey northwards to freedom, such as Mario Chiodo’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unwavering Courage in the Pursuit of Freedom</a>. In other works, such as Alison Saar’s <a href="https://www.harriettubmanmonuments.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swing Low</a>, Tubman is depicted alone, facing southward as she makes the perilous journey back to Maryland to free more enslaved people. One of the most brilliant orators of his generation, Frederick Douglass worked ceaselessly for the cause of abolition. Among his many achievements, Douglass became one of the early and important critical theorists of photography, a medium invented in 1839. In a series of lectures delivered between 1861-1865, Douglass argued that photography had the power to shape people’s understandings of race and as such could be deployed to resist distorted representations of African Americans. Douglass, who was exceptionally aware of the power of his own image, sat for a number of portraits over several decades, circulating his image widely. His photographic portraits serve as the basis for a number of the works in this collection, including Ivan Schwartz’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frederick Douglass</a>, created for the New York Historical Society. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797 in Swartekill, New York. She emancipated herself, escaping to freedom in 1826. During her 30-year career, she became a formidable force in several 19th-century reform movements, linking the struggles for Black freedom with women’s suffrage. Truth capitalized on both the affecting power of photography and its reproducibility to support her activism. She created carte-de-visite portraits of herself, which she copyrighted, adding the caption “I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance. Sojourner Truth.” As Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby explores in her book Enduring Truths: Sojourner’s Shadows and Substance (2015), Truth “made her photographic portrait worth money in order to end slavery—and also became the strategic author of her public self.” Commemorative works such as the <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/1b9f9d28475430765059a059a43787b2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sojourner Truth Memorial</a> in Florence, Massachusetts, are based on the photographic portrait that Truth so carefully created and circulated. Updated January 26, 2026 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Sculpture Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 84 in. (213.36 cm) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sojourner (Sacramento, California) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Catlett, Elizabeth, 1919-2012 Subject The topic of the resource Subject (Topic) Antislavery movements--United States California--Sacramento Freedom Public art Public sculpture Women--Suffrage Subject (Name) Truth, Sojourner, c. 1797-1883 Subject (Object Type) Commemorative sculpture Description An account of the resource Unlike many sculptural representations of Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Catlett’s work is geometric and slightly abstracted. Truth is shown with her arms crossed at her chest as she tilts her head skyward, her eyes closed. The flared skirt of her form-fitting dress adds to the work's sense of upward movement. The stone is polished smooth, save for Truth’s hair, which, although abstracted, is shown uncovered in cropped curls. In January 2013, the sculpture was vandalized, pushed off the pedestal and broke into large pieces. After restoration, the sculpture was placed inside the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1999 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, City of Sacramento Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Visual Arts-Sculpture Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Crocker Art Museum, 216 O Street, Sacramento, California, 95814, United States Extent The size or duration of the resource. 84 in. (213.36 cm) Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Mexican limestone Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Renée Ater Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Photograph: <a href="http://sacpedart.com/?p=3840" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pedestrian Art, Sacramento</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, City of Sacramento, 300 Richards Boulevard, Suite 3, Sacramento, CA, 95811, United States Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. Pedestrian Art-Sacramento. "Sojourner Truth-13th & K." September 6, 2012. Accessed February 19, 2025. http://sacpedart.com/?p=3840. abstract figurative limestone portrait https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/dba00a4a2d4141fa8374689ebefa0f4f.jpg d9b95d4d7821c7e2144bf1330e878a10 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Black Abolitionists: Tubman, Douglass, Truth Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Written by Grace Yasumura Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Renée Ater Description An account of the resource The monuments and memorials in this collection commemorate the extraordinary achievements of three U.S. Black abolitionist and freedom seekers: Harriet Tubman, née Araminta Ross, (c. 1822-1913); Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895); and Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. During the next ten years, she made approximately thirteen trips into Maryland to rescue other enslaved family members and friends. She provided instructions for escape to about 70 more enslaved people who were able to self-emancipate. During the Civil War, she served the United States Army as a spy, scout, nurse and cook. As one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, the monuments in this section often depict Tubman leading groups of freedom seekers on their journey northwards to freedom, such as Mario Chiodo’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unwavering Courage in the Pursuit of Freedom</a>. In other works, such as Alison Saar’s <a href="https://www.harriettubmanmonuments.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swing Low</a>, Tubman is depicted alone, facing southward as she makes the perilous journey back to Maryland to free more enslaved people. One of the most brilliant orators of his generation, Frederick Douglass worked ceaselessly for the cause of abolition. Among his many achievements, Douglass became one of the early and important critical theorists of photography, a medium invented in 1839. In a series of lectures delivered between 1861-1865, Douglass argued that photography had the power to shape people’s understandings of race and as such could be deployed to resist distorted representations of African Americans. Douglass, who was exceptionally aware of the power of his own image, sat for a number of portraits over several decades, circulating his image widely. His photographic portraits serve as the basis for a number of the works in this collection, including Ivan Schwartz’s <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frederick Douglass</a>, created for the New York Historical Society. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797 in Swartekill, New York. She emancipated herself, escaping to freedom in 1826. During her 30-year career, she became a formidable force in several 19th-century reform movements, linking the struggles for Black freedom with women’s suffrage. Truth capitalized on both the affecting power of photography and its reproducibility to support her activism. She created carte-de-visite portraits of herself, which she copyrighted, adding the caption “I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance. Sojourner Truth.” As Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby explores in her book Enduring Truths: Sojourner’s Shadows and Substance (2015), Truth “made her photographic portrait worth money in order to end slavery—and also became the strategic author of her public self.” Commemorative works such as the <a href="https://www.slaverymonuments.org/files/original/1b9f9d28475430765059a059a43787b2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sojourner Truth Memorial</a> in Florence, Massachusetts, are based on the photographic portrait that Truth so carefully created and circulated. Updated January 26, 2026 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Sculpture Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 72 in. (182.88 cm) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sojourner Truth (San Diego, California) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Brown, Manuelita, 1941- Subject The topic of the resource Subject (Topic) Antislavery movements--United States California--San Diego Freedom Public art Public sculpture Women--Suffrage Subject (Name) Truth, Sojourner, c. 1797-1883 Subject (Object Type) Commemorative sculpture Description An account of the resource Truth's body is modeled in contrapposto, an Italian art term that describes a classical body postion with a subject's weight shifted to one side to suggest liveliness and motion. In this statue, Truth steps forward with her body weight on the left leg. Her right knee is bent slightly, and her booted heel raised. Appearing contemplative with a slightly puckered brow, the abolitionist seems to be sorting an idea and/or thinking about her upcoming journey. She wears a deep copper-colored dress and a green-blue shawl; the artist used varied patinas on the bronze surface to highlight Truth's simple clothes. In her right hand she holds a Bible; in the left hand a carpet bag. Overall, the artist represents Truth as a modest, thoughtful, and faithful woman, moving gracefully in the world. RA, 2/13/26 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 22, 2015 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource UC San Diego; Vice Chancellor of Resource Management and Planning; Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; UCSD Alumni; the Black Resource Center Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Visual Arts-Sculpture Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Ridge Walk, Thurgood Marshall College Campus, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California, 92161, United States Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Bronze plaque mounted on stone support reads: Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) Suffragist and Abolitionist I feel safe in the midst of my enemies, for the truth is powerful and will prevail. Sculpted by Manuelita Brown Extent The size or duration of the resource. 72 in. (182.88 cm) Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Bronze Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. Johnson, Erika. "Marshall College Unveils New Sojourner Truth Statue." UC San Diego Today, January 29, 2015. Accessed November 4, 2019. https://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/feature/marshall_college_unveils_new_sojourner_truth_statue. Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Renée Ater Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Thurgood Marshall College Campus, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California, 92161, United States Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Photograph: <a href="https://www.tsahaistudio.com/artpiece/sojourner-truth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manuelita Brown</a> Bible bronze figurative portrait