Beacon of Hope Sculpture
"The Beacon of Hope" is a monument that tells Harriet Tubman's continuing story; that amplifies her message of equality, so that all may hear it; and that chronicles her journey. It is our hope that generations of children and adults alike will find the inspiration and the courage to walk in her footsteps and draw strength from the powerful story of one of our great American heroes, finding it within themselves to become "The Beacon of Hope" for others. - Wesley Wofford, Sculptor
The Beacon of Hope resided at the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center from September-Mid November of 2023 as a special exhibit for visitors. This marked the initial stops on its tour of the Underground Railroad where the sculpture then went to Salisbury, Maryland, Rahway, New Jersey; the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati; Peekskill, New York; and the John Brown Farm in Westport, New York.
The Cape May Point Arts and Science Center was honored to be the first stop on the sculptures travel through time.
In order for the Sculpture to be transported to Salisbury, Maryland, we enlisted the help of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. “We’re honored to transport the ‘Beacon of Hope’. Our Ferry Route is very similar to one used by escaped enslaved people who would wait for moonlet nights to row across the Delaware Bay using the lighthouse for guidance. It’s fitting and a significant historical moment for this iconic sculpture to cross the Delaware on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry” Said Heath Gehrke, director of ferry operations.
Below is a video capturing the “Beacon of Hope” Journey on the ferry.