Freedom Monument Sculpture Park unveiled
A new memorial to the years of racial injustice in the American South is set to open in early-2024.
Situated on the banks of the Alabama River, the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park creates an immersive experience in a historically significant space.
The 17-acre park in Montgomery will bring together history, narrative, large-scale sculptures, and contemporary art commissions.
It honours enslaved people who were emancipated after the Civil War, showing many historic artifacts.
It invites visitors to engage with the history within three separate spaces.
The Sculpture Park will join Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice to form the ‘Legacy Sites.’
The Sculpture Park combines art with history, animating the struggle of enslaved Black Americans, and sheds light on the nation’s history.
Designed to be experienced as one journey, visitors are encouraged to visit all three Legacy Sites.
The Freedom Monument Sculpture park will feature newly commissioned works by artists including Alison Saar and Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, alongside major sculptures from Wangechi Mutu, Rose B. Simpson, Theaster Gates, and Kehinde Wiley.
The National Monument to Freedom will be the highlight.
It stands 43 feet tall and over 150 feet long.
The Monument will honour all four million enslaved Black people who were emancipated at the end of the Civil War by memorialising more than 120,000 unique surnames documented at the time.
The plaza surrounding the National Monument will feature writings from Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and James Weldon Johnson.
Visitors will be able to honour formerly enslaved people by placing flowers in a stream that flows next to the Monument.
“Historical examination is critical to help move us forward and build healthier communities,” said EJI Director Bryan Stevenson.
“We’re honoured to work with some of the greatest contemporary artists to provide a cultural space for all visitors to engage.”
More details about the opening of Freedom Monument Sculpture Park will be announced in the coming months.
The Civil Rights Trail www.civilrightstrail.com/state/alabama/
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Protestors now targeting Amsterdam cruise calls