Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The 13-foot bronze monument titled "Harriet Tubman- Beacon of Hope" by sculptor Wesley Wofford will on display to the public from July 5 to September 30, 2024

Lake Placid, NY – "Beacon of Hope," the nationally recognized sculpture of Harriet Tubman, is set to be unveiled on Thursday, July 5, 2024, at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site in Lake Placid. The unveiling ceremony, open to the public, will commence a months-long celebration of Harriet Tubman's life and enduring legacy.

"Almost two hundred years ago, Harriet Tubman and John Brown were friends and comrades in the fight to end slavery in the United States. Today, we are honored to unveil this commanding statue of Tubman, and symbolically reunite these two historic figures here at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site. We invite all who can to come by the Farm this summer, to be inspired and challenged. And we are grateful to all those who help bring this story to life here in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York," said Martha Swan, Founder and Executive Director of John Brown Lives!

The unveiling ceremony, hosted by John Brown Lives!, a nonprofit freedom education and human rights organization and Friends Group of the historic site, will begin at 2:00 PM in front of the monument at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site. The event will commemorate the famed self-emancipated abolitionist and begin with a performance by The High Peaks Bell Choir. Ringing bells for freedom will launch a year's-long initiative of the Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State (URCNYS) to raise awareness of the coming bicentennial in 2027 of the "official end" of slavery in New York State in 1827.

In addition, the program will feature a reading of an original work by local student Felicity Contreras, and a read-aloud session by award-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrator James Ransome of their children's book "Before She Was Harriet."

"The inspiring figure of Harriet Tubman continues to serve as a guiding force for bravery, commitment and dedication to community," remarked Cline-Ransome.  Symbolizing Tubman's entrepreneurial drive and her selfless care for others, apple pie and root beer will be served.

The sculpture titled "Beacon of Hope," created by sculptor Wesley Wofford, is a 13-foot-tall bronze statue of Harriet Tubman that depicts her journey from humble origins to a symbol of freedom. Currently touring the U.S., the statue will be on display at John Brown Farm through September 30, 2024.

In conjunction with the monument's residency, John Brown Lives! will host companion events throughout the summer to further elaborate on Harriet Tubman's life. These events will include a celestial navigation workshop, demonstrating how Harriet Tubman used the night sky to guide her many journeys to freedom and her activities as a Union spy and scout during the Civil War.

For updates on these events and activities, go to johnbrownlives.org. Inquire about summer camp visits and school field trips next fall at info@johnbrownlives.org.

The monument's residency and additional programming are made possible with support from Lake Placid Public Library, North Elba LEAF, Stewart's / Dake Family Foundation, and Humanities New York.

John Brown Lives! is a nonprofit dedicated to honoring John Brown's legacy and promoting social justice and human rights through community engagement, humanities programs, arts, and education. Throughout the year John Brown Lives! holds several events to support their mission, online, at John Brown Farm State Historic Site and other locations throughout NY State.

The John Brown Farm State Historic Site, located two miles from downtown Lake Placid, is the home and burial site of famed abolitionist John Brown. Today, the site provides tours and interpretation on the life of John Brown and introduces visitors to the 1846 "scheme of justice and benevolence" that attracted Black New York families to settle an Adirondack community that came to be called "Timbuctoo." For more information, please visit John Brown Farm State Historic Site (https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/johnbrownfarm/details.aspx).

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and the OPRHP Blog.

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