Central Ward in Newark in Essex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Harriet Tubman Monument
Harriet Tubman Monument
In June 2020, amid calls for racial justice and by order of Honorable Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the City of Newark commissioned artist and architect Nina Cooke John to design a monument to honor the legacy of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. This network of abolitionists and safe houses assisted enslaved people on their journeys north to freedom and had many "stations" in New Jersey, at least one of which was in Newark.
Cooke John's monument portrays Harriet Tubman in two perspectives: as a larger-than-life figure rising over two stories tall, and at eye-level, where her face emerges, putting her bravery and strength of character within reach. The title of the monument, Shadow of a Face, refers to a 1962 Robert Hayden poem, entitled Runagate Runagate:
Hoot-owl calling in the ghosted air,
five times calling to the hants in the air.
Shadow of a face in the scary leaves,
shadow of a voice in the talking leaves
As you walk around the monument, explore the tiles created by local residents and hear Newark's own Queen Latifah and others narrate stories about Tubman and the city's
this page online
The project was funded by The City of Newark, Audible, The Mellon Foundation, and individual Newark residents in collaboration with The Newark City Parks Foundation, Newark Arts, The Newark Museum of Art, and the Newark Public Library.
Local historians James Amemasor, Noelle Lorraine Williams, and Linda Caldwell Epps were commissioned to provide research for the project.
This monument is a Design for Freedom by Grace Farms Pilot Project, which is dedicated to eliminating forced labor in the building materials supply chain.
Erected by The City of Newark, Audible, The Mellon Foundation, and individual Newark residents in collaboration with The Newark City Parks Foundation, Newark Arts, The Newark Museum of Art, and the Newark Public Library.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR •
Location. 40° 44.611′ N, 74° 10.198′ W. Marker is in Newark, New Jersey, in Essex County. It is in the Central Ward. It is on Broad Street south of Washington Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 531 Broad St, Newark NJ 07102, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and monument is in North Jersey and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Harriet Tubman Square (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Harriet Tubman Monument (a few steps from this marker); Seth Boyden (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Seth Boyden (within shouting distance of this marker); Jose G. Artigas (within shouting distance of this marker); 15 Washington Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Columbus Square (about 300 feet away); Line of March of Washingtons Army (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newark.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Christopher Columbus (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 3, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
