13-foot Harriet Tubman monument on display in Niagara Falls at Underground Railroad Heritage Center

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) – A traveling monument of the famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman was installed at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center on Wednesday.

The monument, “Beacon of Hope,” is on temporary exhibit until Jan. 2. It is on loan from Wofford Sculpture Studio and will be located in the Heritage Center’s Harriet Tubman Plaza, on Depot Avenue near the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge.

The exhibit commemorates Tubman’s journeys to freedom through Niagara Falls via the International Suspension Bridge.

A special evening commemorating Tubman and the monument’s display will be held on Friday, Nov. 15, at the Heritage Center from 5-8 p.m.

“Honoring Harriet Tubman’s crossing right here in the historic Suspension Bridge Village, informs more people about owning our own local history,” said Saladin Allah, Director of Community Engagement.

The 13-foot bronze statue was created by Academy and Emmy Award-winning sculptor Wesley Wofford.

“Harriet Tubman as the ‘Beacon of Hope’ exemplifies the significance of the very last leg of her journeys to Canada, recognizing the power of place,” said Ally Spongr DeGon, Interim Director.

For more information on the Heritage Center’s newest exhibit, visit their website here.

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