Harriet Tubman Journey to Freedom Statue on Display at Button Farm in Germantown, Special Program on Saturday, May 13, as Montgomery County Hosts ‘Journey to Freedom History Day’

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 11, 2023

The Harriet Tubman: The Journey to Freedom statue will be the centerpiece as Montgomery County hosts “Journey to Freedom History Day” from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday May 13, at the Button Farm Living History Center in Germantown. Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich will speak at the free event, which is being presented by the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights, the Menare Foundation Inc., Heritage Montgomery and Montgomery History.

The Menare Foundation Inc. and Heritage Montgomery are host to the Harriet Tubman: The Journey to Freedom installation that has been on display at the Button Farm Living History Center since April 1 and will remain on exhibit until May 30. The statue, created by sculptor Wesley Wofford, is a nine-foot-tall depiction of the legendary self-liberator as she guides a child to freedom on the perilous Underground Railroad. This is first visit of the statue to the Washington metropolitan area since it was launched on a nationwide tour in 2020.

The Button Farm Living History Center is located at 16820 Black Rock Rd. in Germantown. Learn more about the center at https://buttonfarm.org/.

At noon on May 13, Ranger Angela Crenshaw will host a talk on Harriet Tubman’s work on the Underground Railroad and screen the documentary Harriet Tubman: Vision of Freedom. At 1 p.m., County Executive Elrich and members of the County Council will present a proclamation in recognition of the event. At 2 p.m., Capitol Tap and District Tap will share a dance performance about Ms. Tubman’s coded letter. The afternoon will conclude with Lesley Younge leading a story time for kids reading from her new book A-Train Allen. Throughout the event, Montgomery History will host a history table of information.

“This statue is a fitting depiction of one of Maryland’s most heroic figures, Harriet Tubman—‘the Black Moses,’” said County Executive Elrich. “We celebrate her courage and tenacity and her never-give-up spirit. We invite you to enjoy the guided- and self-guided tours, educational presentations and exhibits, performances, music, food and fun and other family-friendly activities. All of Montgomery County should see and experience this inspiring work of art and history.”

Harriet Tubman: The Journey to Freedom is viewable to school groups and educators weekdays and to the general public on weekends. Saturdays and Sundays feature free admission and special themed events such as a Mother’s Day tribute to inspirational women. On Memorial Day weekend, there will be a celebration honoring Ms. Tubman’s service as a Civil War spy.

The Tubman statue has been viewed by tens of thousands nationwide. Artist Wofford has described the emotion of the statue in saying, “She is leaning into the wind with her shoulder, chin down, and bracing herself against the elements. Her eyes are cut formidably up, anticipating the next part of the journey. The wind illustrates the peril of the journey but is also a metaphor for the intense opposition she faced.” 

Menare founder Anthony Cohen said Button Farm is proud to host the statue.

“Harriet Tubman was a force of nature and her spirit is still felt more than a century after her passing,” said Mr. Cohen. “Many will pilgrimage to see the statue for its powerful symbolism of our ongoing quest for freedom.”

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Release ID: 23-206
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915