Harriet Tubman Square
Interactive Park Map
About the Location
Historic Gateway
Harriet Tubman Square is a small triangular park located in the South End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The park sits at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and West Newton Street, serving as a gateway to the South End.
Formerly known as Columbus Square, this space now honors the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman, the famed abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad.
Notable Sculptures
The square features two significant artworks that commemorate the fight for freedom. The Harriet Tubman Memorial, created by sculptor Fern Cunningham and unveiled in 1999, depicts Tubman leading a small group of people to freedom.
The second sculpture, "Emancipation" by Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller, was created in 1913 on the 50th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Design Elements
The park's thoughtful design incorporates decorative brick paving inlaid with bronze pavers depicting aspects of the Underground Railroad story. The square is surrounded by historic brownstone buildings characteristic of the South End architecture.
Boston's Abolitionist Connections
While Tubman herself did not live in Boston, she had connections to the city through her network of abolitionist friends and made several visits in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The park serves as a reminder of Boston's significant role in the abolitionist movement and the ongoing struggle for equality.
