A New Monument Honoring Harriet Tubman

"Shadow of a Face" designed by Nina Cooke John will be installed in 2022

The remaining pedestal of the former Columbus statue. The new monument will incorporate the pedestal's footprint in the design.

In October 2020, the City of Newark announced that it will commission a new monument honoring Harriet Tubman and Newark's role in the Underground Railroad in downtown Washington Park, to replace the statue of Christopher Columbus that was removed by the City in June 2020. The City will also rename Washington Park to Tubman Square in 2022 when the new monument will be installed. The heroic abolitionist made Newark an important stop on the Underground Railroad as she personally led enslaved African-Americans out of the South to freedom.

“Ahead of the 156th anniversary of the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S., it is only fitting that we memorialize Tubman’s heroic efforts leading slaves to better opportunities and freedom via the Underground Railroad through Newark for generations to come. Ms. John’s work of public art will be a symbol of hope and optimism, not only for our Newark community, but also for the entire country.” - Mayor Ras J. Baraka

Nina Cooke John John is the founding principal of  Studio Cooke John , a multidisciplinary design studio that values place-making to transform relationships between people and the built environment. She is based in Montclair, NJ.

The City held a national open call for artists and announced  5 finalists  in March 2021, each of whom were commissioned to create a conceptual design for the new monument. Community members were invited to offer comments and opinions about the proposed designs, which was taken into consideration by the jury of art experts, historians, and community stakeholders led by the City of Newark’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Director fayemi shakur. The jury members’ names and bios can be found  here .  

The conceptual design submitted by New Jersey artist Nina Cooke John was announced as the winner in June 2021 in honor of Juneteenth, one year following the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue.

John’s design “Shadow of a Face” envisions the renamed park as a place of pilgrimage where people will visit from all corners of Newark and beyond to learn about Tubman’s life and journey. The circular monument will guide visitors throughout a multisensory experience. Featuring a larger than life profile of Harriet Tubman, the work will let visitors connect with her at eye level on a foundational wall where her face will be reflected in a mosaic made of large ceramic pieces. The texture of the mosaic will be repeated at different scale on the ground and inner walls. Text throughout the area will highlight important dates in the history of the Underground Railroad and the names of safe houses throughout New Jersey.

John will work with Newark-based artist  Adebunmi Gbadebo , also selected through the open call, as an apprentice to assist with research and community engagement throughout the project.

Stay tuned for opportunities to experience and participate in the making of this historic monument!



"Shadow of a Face" by Nina Cooke John

Watch the video below to hear the artist describe her design.

See below for artist renderings of the monument, and visit Nina's  website  to learn more about her practice.

Views approaching the monument

Views from inside and from outside the circular space formed by the monument's walls

Night views


For more information about the project or to donate, visit:

The remaining pedestal of the former Columbus statue. The new monument will incorporate the pedestal's footprint in the design.

Nina Cooke John John is the founding principal of  Studio Cooke John , a multidisciplinary design studio that values place-making to transform relationships between people and the built environment. She is based in Montclair, NJ.

Views approaching the monument

Views from inside and from outside the circular space formed by the monument's walls

Night views