The Beacon of Hope, a tribute to Harriet Tubman, stands proudly at the Woodson African American Museum.
St. Petersburg, Florida, has unveiled a monumental tribute to Harriet Tubman, titled ‘Harriet Tubman: The Beacon of Hope’. This sculpture, created by Wesley Wofford, symbolizes her dedication to guiding enslaved people to freedom and serves as a powerful reminder of African American history. The sculpture is located in the Legacy Garden at the Woodson African American Museum and will be on display until June 2025, inviting visitors to engage with Tubman’s inspiring legacy.
St. Petersburg, Florida, has become the latest stop for a sculpture that pays homage to one of America’s most iconic figures – Harriet Tubman. The newly unveiled piece, titled “Harriet Tubman: The Beacon of Hope”, now stands proudly in the Legacy Garden at the Woodson African American Museum. This moving tribute to Tubman, a heroic abolitionist who dedicated her life to guiding enslaved people to freedom, is both a celebration of her extraordinary journey and a call to remember the struggles of African Americans throughout history.
Created by talented artist Wesley Wofford, who hails from North Carolina, this large-scale sculpture has traveled across the country. Its arrival in St. Petersburg marks a significant milestone as it is the first time “The Beacon of Hope” has been displayed in Florida. Initially, the Woodson Museum sought another sculpture by Wofford called “The Journey to Freedom,” but that piece was unavailable. However, persistence paid off when this stunning monument finally arrived, albeit a little later than expected.
Reflecting upon the delays due to snowstorms in Niagara Falls, New York, the executive director of the museum noted that they were reminiscent of Tubman’s own historical treks northward, navigating treacherous conditions to secure freedom for herself and others. When the truck carrying the sculpture rolled up, it elicited an emotional reaction from staff members, highlighting the profound connection many feel towards Tubman’s legacy.
The sculpture depicts Tubman in a powerful pose, captured mid-climb with one arm reaching upward, adorned with a luminous gold star. This star symbolizes the North Star, a guiding light that Tubman and many others used to navigate their paths to freedom. Her other arm gestures down towards viewers, inviting them to engage with her story. At the base of the sculpture, a pile of shackles and chains serves as a stark reminder of the bondage experienced by countless enslaved individuals.
Accompanying the sculpture is an informational plaque detailing Tubman’s incredible life. Born Araminta Ross in 1822 in Maryland, she overcame the hardships of enslavement to become a freedom fighter and a key figure in the Underground Railroad. After escaping to Philadelphia in 1849, Tubman went on to undertake at least 13 daring missions to rescue her family and others, ultimately guiding around 70 enslaved people to freedom.
Beyond its artistic beauty, “The Beacon of Hope” communicates a message of empowerment. Tubman holds a golden “generational” key in her other hand, representing the unlocking of personal strength and the potential for change. Some shackles in the sculpture are intentionally open, symbolizing those Tubman liberated, while the closed shackles speak to those who remained bound until after the Civil War.
As visitors flock to see this inspiring tribute, the Woodson Museum is experiencing an uptick in attendance, which is fantastic news for their other exhibitions. One such exhibit, “Invisible Labor,” highlights the importance of African American labor and is currently on display. The museum aims to create a safe and inclusive space for discussions about tough topics, while also providing valuable knowledge about African American history.
The sculpture is set to remain on display through June 2025, allowing countless visitors to experience Tubman’s story firsthand. Plans are already in motion for artist Wesley Wofford to return to the museum for a talk in April 2025, offering further insights into his work and the meaning behind this magnificent sculpture.
If you’re in the area, or planning a visit to St. Petersburg, be sure to stop by the Woodson African American Museum located at 2240 Ninth Ave. S., where entrance is free of charge. The museum is open Tuesday to Thursday from 12-5 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Visitors will leave with not only memories of Tubman’s strength but also souvenir keys symbolizing their own power to combat ongoing injustices.
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