Freedom Crossing Monument, Lewiston, New York
During the early to mid 1800s, Lewiston was one of the last U.S. stops on the Underground Railroad before fugitive slaves escaped into Canada. Here they crossed the Niagara River by boat. This monument is on the U.S. side but you can see Canada on the other side of the river.
Close up of mother and child
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of homes and trails that helped slaves on their dangerous journey, secreting them from bounty hunters and slave catchers hired to take slaves back to their owners.
Pointing to Canada...and FREEDOM
Many good people living in Lewiston volunteered to help thousands of slaves across the border. Amazingly, it's believed that no one in Lewiston gave away their secret until after the U.S. Civil War.
This monument was dedicated in 2009 to commemorate the courage of Lewiston's citizens who helped and protected many slaves on their journey to freedom.
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40 comments:
A very interesting exhibit of sculpture. Thanks for reminding us of this important piece of history.
That is a nice sculpture. Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, lived and wrote from Hartford, but I can't think of any comparable piece of public sculpture here.
Beautiful sculpture to commemorate acts of bravery and principle.
what an interesting piece of history.
Great sculpture! The underground railroad ran through these parts as well. Quite a journey to freedom for those former slaves. God bless Canada for being there in that horrible time of US history.
Bill:www.wildramblings.com
A bit old fashioned, but just the way I like it!
What a great sculpture!
Fabulous sculpture commemorating good deeds.
Great sculpture to remind of history :)
http://fotochip.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-worldwalk-about-in-lund.html
What a great thing to commemorate with the interesting sculpture. It is very uplifting to me to think about the people actively involved with the underground railroad.
This monument reminds me of the book about Uncle Tom's Cabin. The sculpture is a reminder of a certain part of history we like to forget, but at the same time it's a great tribute to the people who rescued the fugitives.
Great post!
Fantastic and such a marvelous way to give those credit for their bravery, for being there for these people. It was indeed such a dark horrible time in American history!! And one that many prefer to forget! Thank you for sharing this! Have a wonderful week!
Sylvia
Marvelous sculptures in both body language and faces that are full of emotion. What a traumatic time in our history. It is good to remember that mankind manages to evolve over time.
Hi
queste statue sono meravigliose oltre al significato che rappresentano.
Buona serata :)
Myriam
Nice one! A great thing for us to remember.
A wonderful memorial to sad times and heroic acts.
A beautiful sculpture and marvelously captured in the photos. A section of US131 near us is dedicated to the Underground Railroad. Some people stayed put here in SW Michigan while others continued on to Canada.
What a beautiful sculpture. Such a wonderful memory is here.
very interesting piece of historical tidbit. i thought the sculpture was well made.
Very historic and really great installation...it reminds us how vulnerable and imperfect we are as humans...
Such a meaningful sculpture.
It must have taken courage to help like the Underground Railroad people did, they were risking a lot. Thanks for sharing this part of your world.
Kudos to all those brave people...I knew that many slaves fled to Canada, but never thought much about where they went across. We lived in West Chester, Pennsylvania for awhile in the 70s and our daughter's friends lived in a house which had served as a station on the Underground Railroad.
Very interesting!
A little history is needed to remind this generation to look back, think and dream. We have a saying here that someone who doesn't look at his past will never be able to reach where he wants to go.
What a beautiful, interesting monument. It's good that this piece of history is being remembered. It's a great reminder of what individuals can do to help others.
This is an amazing installation. So full of energy and life. All I've ever seen of Lewsiton is the border crossing and it is not very impressive!
I really like this post, informative punctuated with very good captures of those sculptures. I shudder at the thought of crossing the mighty Niagara River.
My world entry is here.
I love this. What a monument to both the slaves who braved the journey and the people who helped them.
I got a chill reading this story. The lives that were changed and saved!
Great sculpture to commemorate good deeds.
Thanks for an interesting post. Have a lovely day.
Very interesting piece of history, great captures of some beautiful statues too! Nice post. Thank you for sharing.
Nice capture...and thanks for sharing a piece of history :)
Interesting, thought provoking and actually quite beautiful.
Great entry that I could learn history. Sculptures look all real!
Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful!
Darla
Excellent!! I didn't know about this---well I know about the Underground Railroad but always thought it just ended in New York or there abouts.
I love these sculptures and "Look, Canada--Freedom Just Across the Water!
thank you, EG. MB
Not only is this a beautiful and thoughtful monument, it is an amazing tribute! I'm glad to know it is there! ~karen
Not only is this a beautiful and thoughtful monument, it is an amazing tribute! I'm glad to know it is there! ~karen
Great History lesson. So once they crossed, they became free Canadians?
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