What's happening
Part of a nationwide traveling exhibition, the "Harriet Tubman: Journey to Freedom” sculpture has been on display at many places since its journey began in 2020; however, the Texas debut was in Bastrop during the Bastrop Juneteenth Family Freedom Festival.
What you need to know
Created by artist Wesley Wofford and forged locally by Pyrology Foundry & Studio, visitors can find the 2,400-pound bronze sculpture within the park just outside of the historic Kerr Community Center at 1308 Walnut St. in Bastrop.
What else?
Built in 1914 as part of the Kerr family estate, the Kerr Community Center was designated a National Historic Place in 1978, and a playground and park were added in 2007.
"We thought the park would be the perfect location," longtime community leader Dock Jackson said. "It gives us a sense of pride to have the sculpture here—the Kerr Community Center served as a safe space for African Americans and was really the only African American gathering place, besides church and school, for many years."
On Aug. 31, the last day to view the statue, the Kerr Community Center will celebrate its 110th anniversary at 5:30 p.m., Jackson said.
