Project Update, July 2025

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​First and foremost, I am very pleased to announce that in May we achieved our goal of raising $60,000 for the project through contributions and pledges—thanks to all from the community and across the country who contributed.  We are very, very grateful!

 

And then last month we met with the sculptor Wesley Wofford to discuss the timetable for the completion of the sculpture.  The clay form of the statue is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.  And then a digital scan will be made and the bronze statue will be created at a foundry.  It is hoped that the statue will be completed and ready for installation by next February.  

 

At the end of that meeting with Mr. Wofford, he shared an amazing proposal with us.  He informed us that he has an anonymous donor, anonymous to us but not to Mr. Wofford, who has been following the development of our project and who wishes to donate sufficient funds to produce a full-size statue of Harriet Tubman and James Bowley.  That means that instead of the 32-to-38-inch statue that we had originally planned, we would be able to have a life-size statue.  Before responding to the offer, I met with Dwight McInvaill to determine if the full-size statue would be acceptable in the Library.  He responded affirmatively.  Then the planning group that has been directing the project from the beginning, made up of men and women from the Friends as well as the community, met to decide if we would “stay small or go large.”  After considerable discussion, it was decided unanimously to accept the gift from the anonymous donor and go large.

 

The financial impact on us is that the entire $60,000 we have raised will go towards the full-size statue.  We no longer will need to purchase a stand or base for the statue so that significant cost has been eliminated.  And we are looking at creative options regarding other costs related to the staging of Whispers at the entrance to the Children’s Reading Area.

 

This is very exciting.

 

If you have any questions on the progress of the project, please let me know.  I may be reached by email at rwilley1019@gmail.com or by phone at 413/427-8224.

 

With my continuing gratitude on behalf of the children of many generations who will be impacted through Whispers by the beauty and inspiration of the relationship of James and his great aunt Harriet,

 

Bob Willey, President

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