City of Kingston & SUNY New Paltz Partner for Major Installation of Sojourner Truth Statue
Mayor Steven T. Noble and SUNY New Paltz President Darrell P. Wheeler are pleased to announce the opening of an 11-month installation of Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at Kingston City Hall.
Renowned sculptor Trina Greene’s Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom, a bronze statue of Isabella Baumfree Vanwagenen (later Sojourner Truth), depicted in 1826 as she is walking to freedom carrying her daughter, Sophia, will be displayed in the foyer at Kingston City Hall. The statue captures Truth’s escape from enslavement and the beginning of her heroic journey to advocate for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host an incredible piece of artwork and an integral piece of history here at City Hall in Kingston. Sojourner Truth’s legacy lives on through works like Trina Greene’s First Step to Freedom statue, and through our community members who strive to honor and emulate her work each day,” said Mayor Noble. “I want to thank Dr. Wheeler for entrusting the statue to Kingston for the public to enjoy– it’s truly an honor. I also want to thank Kitt Potter, the City’s Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs, a true arts advocate, for her tireless efforts to bring important and meaningful art to City Hall and to expand the reach of the arts in the greater community.”
“In consultation with key stakeholders from across campus and external community partners, this multi-year plan and opening in Kingston recognizes Truth’s significance to communities across the Hudson Valley and ultimately resolves with her presence on our campus,” said SUNY New Paltz President Darrell P. Wheeler. “Thank you to Mayor Noble, County Executive Metzger and their respective teams; sculptor Trina Greene; the Newburgh Free Library; and other collaborative partners who will support this humbling work.”
On Saturday, Sept. 28, the viewing opening at City Hall will be from 5-8 p.m. Programming will begin at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers and will feature renowned actress Aixa Kendrick portraying Sojourner Truth, the Center for Creative Education dancers and drummers, Ulster County Poet Laureate Kate Hymes, and more. Light refreshments will be provided by Tilda’s Kitchen and Market. The event is free and open to all.
During the opening reception, original court documents will be on display that outline the story of Sojourner Truth returning to Ulster County to secure the return of her 5-year-old son, Peter, who had been illegally sold to a plantation in Alabama. With the help of local attorneys, she filed a Habeas Corpus Petition in the Ulster County Courthouse in March of 1828. She ultimately prevailed on the petition for her son’s freedom, marking the first time in American history that a Black woman sued a white man and won.
The Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom statue will be on display at Kingston City Hall during regular business hours (Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) from Sept. 30, 2024, until August 2025. The City of Kingston’s Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs will host group tours, artist talks, and programming throughout the installation that will contextualize the artwork and Sojourner Truth’s legacy.
After the initial installation in Kingston, Ulster County will host the statue, where it will be integral to 2025 Sojourner Truth Day celebrations, and it will then be installed at the Newburgh Free Library. After its tour, the statue will be permanently installed on the SUNY New Paltz campus.
“This journey honors Sojourner Truth’s chosen name. As an itinerate 18th century preacher, abolitionist, feminist and mother, Sojourner Truth traveled across the country sharing her truth,” said President Wheeler. “We also honor her commitment to education by eventually installing the sculpture at an institution of higher learning and through more than 50 years as the namesake of our campus library.”
The Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom opening event is sponsored by the City of Kingston, SUNY New Paltz, Kingston’s Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Ulster County Tourism, Ulster Savings Bank, and Tilda’s Kitchen and Market. Special thanks to the Kingston Police Department Color Guard and the Radio Kingston tech team.
More about the artist Trina Greene at https://www.trinagreenesculpture.com/.
For further information, please visit www.engagekingston.com/sojourner-truth-first-step-to-freedom.