Harriet Tubman Memorial (New York City) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harriet Tubman Memorial |
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| Artist | Alison Saar |
| Year | 2007 |
| Type | bronze and Chinese granite |
| Location | Manhattan, New York City |
| 40°48′29″N 73°57′10″W / 40.80819°N 73.95280°W | |
The Harriet Tubman Memorial, also known as Swing Low, is a special statue in Manhattan, New York City. It honors the amazing life of Harriet Tubman, a hero who fought against slavery. The area where the statue stands used to be just a plain traffic island. Now, it's called "Harriet Tubman Triangle."
This triangle was made beautiful with plants from New York and from Tubman's home state, Maryland. These plants show the land she and the people she helped traveled across. They used a secret network called the Underground Railroad to find freedom.
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About the Harriet Tubman Memorial
The idea for this memorial came from a special art program. Many groups worked together to make it happen. These groups included the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Department of Cultural Affairs. They wanted to create a meaningful public artwork.
What the Statue Looks Like
The memorial is a large statue, about 13 feet (4 meters) tall. It is made from bronze and strong Chinese granite. The artist who created this powerful piece is Alison Saar. The statue was first shown to the public on November 13, 2008. Many important people were there, including city leaders and community members.
What the Statue Shows
The statue shows Harriet Tubman stepping forward bravely. Roots are shown pulling at the back of her skirt. These roots stand for the challenges of slavery that she overcame. Her skirt has pictures of the people she helped escape to freedom.
The base of the statue also tells a story. It has drawings that show moments from Tubman's life. These drawings are mixed with traditional quilting symbols. Quilts often carried secret messages for those on the Underground Railroad.
An Award-Winning Design
In 2004, the Harriet Tubman Triangle and the statue received a special award. It was called the Public Design Commission Award for Excellence in Design. This award recognized how well the memorial was planned and created.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento conmemorativo a Harriet Tubman (Nueva York) para niños
