SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (AP) — Life-sized statues of Harriet Tubman and former Secretary of State William Seward are set to be installed in upstate New York after their initial molds were destroyed in a fire.
The Times Union reports the statues symbolize the little-known friendship between Tubman and Seward, who also served as New York governor.
Seward sold some of his property in Schenectady to Tubman in 1859 and helped her set up a homestead there.
Dexter Benedict was working on statues of the pair when a fire destroyed his foundry and sculpture studio in 2017.
Frank Wicks, who paid half of the commission fee for the statues, says he's grateful Benedict decided to start over again.
A dedication ceremony for the remade bronze statues is scheduled for May 17 at the Schenectady County Library.
———
Information from: Times Union, http://www.timesunion.com
