HSRC on the Radio: Harriet Tubman Sculpture in Haverstraw with Virginia Norfleet (HAAC)
Tune in to the next episode of Crossroads of Rockland History on Monday April 19 at 9:30am on WRCR 1700AM, when Ginny Norfleet from the Haverstraw African American Connection will be on hand to tell us about how the 2,400-pound bronze statue entitled Harriet Tubman: Journey to Freedom will make its way to Rockland County. The nationally touring sculpture will be unveiled in Haverstraw on April 20th and it will stay through the Juneteenth holiday. We’ll learn about all of the interesting programs surrounding this special visit, and how you can see the sculpture.
Tune in locally to 1700AM, or download the Tunein Radio App and search for WRCR. If you can’t listen live, the show will be posted as a podcast on all major podcast apps.
About Virgina “Ginny” Norfleet: Ginny Norfleet is the founder of the Haverstraw African American Connection. The mission of the Haverstraw African American Connection is to research, recover, preserve, and teach the rich culture and contributions of African Americans with emphasis on the African American people of Haverstraw N.Y. Learn more at https://www.thehaac.com/
About the sculpture: The sculpture, “Harriet Tubman: Journey to Freedom,” depicts Tubman confidently leading a young girl on the Underground Railroad to freedom from bondage. Wofford, the creator of the statue, said, “There is a lot of embedded symbolism within the narrative of the piece. The contours of the base represent the Maryland/Delaware Peninsula, where Harriet was enslaved, eventually escaped, and continued to return for her freedom raids. The dramatic step up/cut is the Pennsylvania state line, and they are stepping out of the slave states to an elevated freedom. The dress is enveloping the young girl, billowing protectively like a flag, and is meant to represent all the legal protections afforded every United States citizen-a symbol of the future equality to come. Each hand on the sculpture signifies an attribute: Determination, Protection, Fear, and Trust. The young girl is leaning out to get a better look at where Harriet is taking her with a look of trepidation on her face. She is gripping Harriet’s right arm tightly, but her delicate finger grasp is cautiously hopeful. The girl is off balance and tentatively taking a step forward-her left foot precariously hanging off a cliff, illustrating the danger and peril of the journey. The shackles are broken, and the atrocities of slavery are left forever behind.”
About the Artist: Wesley Wofford, an Emmy, and Academy Award winning sculptor, works from his private studio in the National Forest of North Carolina. His studio is filled with sculptures at various stages of completion, the large commissions occupying the same space as portraits, gallery pieces, and maquette studies. He was awarded Signature Status with The Portrait Society of America in March 2015 and is an elected member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and The Portrait Sculptors Society of the Americas. Wofford’s sculpture is recognized on a national and international level with various awards and publications celebrating and featuring his work.