Lexington Freedom Train unveils monument
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Lexington Freedom Train has unveiled a powerful new monument honoring the city’s Underground Railroad history and two of its most courageous residents.
“Towards Freedom” is a tribute to Lewis and Harriet Hayden, formerly enslaved Lexingtonians who became nationally known abolitionists. The sculpture commemorates their escape from slavery and their role in helping others find freedom through Kentucky’s Underground Railroad.
Unveiled on Juneteenth at Lexington Traditional Magnet School, officials say the monument is a reminder of both the city’s painful past and its ongoing journey toward justice.
Governor Andy Beshear, who spoke at the ceremony, said, “We should be proud that every person who takes a walk on the Legacy Trail, every person who walks into the Lexington Traditional Magnet School, everyone driving down Limestone or Fourth Street for generations to come will know who the Haydens are and what they accomplished.”
The artwork was created by internationally renowned sculptor Basil Watson and is part of a broader effort to expand public art that reflects Kentucky’s diverse history. Officials say the monument not only honors those who resisted slavery but also preserves stories that have too often gone untold.
