By Elle WoodSALISBURY, Md. — Harriet Tubman is a monumental figure on the Eastern Shore, born and raised in Dorchester County and going on to conquer so much for the country.
So, it’s appropriate that “The Beacon of Hope” statue of her had been on display in Salisbury for the last several weeks.
The 13-foot-tall sculpture travels from place to place to honor Ms. Tubman’s legacy. It was created by Wesley Wofford of Wofford Sculpture Studio in Cashiers, North Carolina.
The Cape May Point (New Jersey) Science Center was the first place to house the piece, starting Sept. 1, 2023. A few months later, it took a journey on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry across the Delaware Bay to be brought to Salisbury.
On Nov. 15, the figure was erected in front of the Wicomico County Government Office Building and Courthouse on North Division Street.
There it stayed until this week, offering an opportunity to bring light to Ms. Tubman’s impact.
On Wednesday, city dignitaries and others gathered to celebrate the sculpture, as it departed from Salisbury to head to its next location, Rahway, New Jersey.
One attendee, Jordan Ray, a media specialist for the city of Salisbury, said he enjoyed having the statue nearby because it’s a symbol that means more than Ms. Tubman herself.
“It is monumental because it brought so many incredible events, along with education,” he said. “It is a symbol of inspiration, and I think a lot of people got that, but it also showed strength in times of adversity.
“That is something we can learn from as a city, so when we face challenges, it can remind us to stay strong through any problems we may face.”
The farewell ceremony also included a few descendants of Ms. Tubman’s.
Tonet Cuffee is a fourth-generation niece. She spoke about the pride she and her family take in educating people about what Ms. Tubman accomplished.
“In the past 75 days, I have seen this tri-county area take on the ‘Beacon’ energy, which has been amazing,” she said. “I have seen people sharing resources, collaborating with one another, sharing services and just trying to upgrade the community as a whole.
“That is all Harriet is about, is to make others’ lives better and for everyone to have equality.”
During the ceremony, Ms. Cuffee’s aunt, Peggy Ross, and her daughter, Tyana Cuffee, stood with her. During the creation of the sculpture, Ms. Ross was the face model. The family studied the facial features of relatives and determined that she was one of the closest to resemble Ms. Tubman.
Then, Mr. Wofford took panoramic photos of Ms. Ross’ face and used them to develop the statue’s face, Ms. Cuffee explained.
On Wednesday, Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor said he was happy the city was part of the Beacon’s tour. He gave out certificates and citations to all involved in the process and to those who organized its corresponding events.
“Not only is she a national figure, but she is also a local figure,” he said. “I think it was a good opportunity for people to really understand her history and learn a lot.”
He added that the site has had many visitors.
“As I have traveled back and forth from the courthouse, there has been tons of people, apart from the events, that visited the statue and read up on what she did in history,” said Mayor Taylor.
And, as the piece travels, a capsule will be added that will include mementos from each city. Salisbury’s contribution will be a brick from the historic Wicomico County Courthouse walkway.
Also in attendance at the gathering was the mayor of Rahway, Raymond Giacobbe.
“It’s a beautiful statue that has rich history, and I am very excited to bring it to our wonderful city,” he said. “We want people to be enlightened on the contributions of Harriet Tubman and what she has done for our country and to our society.
“The things that she represents are extraordinary, and I can’t wait to have such an iconic figure in our city.”
Though Ms. Tubman’s statue has left Salisbury, residents hope its legacy continues to inspire.
“(The sculpture) has allowed us to become connected to history,” said Mr. Ray. “We can live in the present moment but also look forward to the future, to the things that we can accomplish together.
“It is a reminder of how far we came but also looking forward to where we can go.”
