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Lexington Juneteenth event unveils statue of former slaves who became abolitionists
By John McGary
June 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM EDT
An estimated 400 people turned out in downtown Lexington Thursday for the unveiling of a monument honoring two former slaves. Lewis and Harriet Hayden overcame slavery and the heartbreak of loved ones sold and never seen again to become abolitionists themselves. Thursday, world-renowned artist Basil Watson, spoke of his sculpture entitled “Toward Freedom.”
“And the theme of this sculpture is about the work with Harriet and Lewis, moving together, not just by themselves, but with the community that they carried with them, and the community to which they went, and the community that they fought for all their lives.”
The city’s Public Arts Commission made its largest contribution in history for the sculpture – $245,000. It’s on the site of Lexington Traditional Magnet School – near where Lewis Hayden was once a minister’s slave. Other speakers included Mayor Linda Gorton and Governor Andy Beshear.
“While our federal government tries to erase a lot of our history, today in Kentucky, we're celebrating it. We are celebrating it and committing to preserving important people like Lewis and Harriet.”
“Toward Freedom” also honors other slaves and their journey along the Underground Railroad to freedom.
“And the theme of this sculpture is about the work with Harriet and Lewis, moving together, not just by themselves, but with the community that they carried with them, and the community to which they went, and the community that they fought for all their lives.”
The city’s Public Arts Commission made its largest contribution in history for the sculpture – $245,000. It’s on the site of Lexington Traditional Magnet School – near where Lewis Hayden was once a minister’s slave. Other speakers included Mayor Linda Gorton and Governor Andy Beshear.
“While our federal government tries to erase a lot of our history, today in Kentucky, we're celebrating it. We are celebrating it and committing to preserving important people like Lewis and Harriet.”
“Toward Freedom” also honors other slaves and their journey along the Underground Railroad to freedom.