It was a particularly sad day back in 2021 when one piece of Jamestown’s Underground Railroad Tableau was stolen.

Creation of the tableau had been a true community effort involving community leaders, school children and artist David Poulin. Replacing the stolen statue is a difficult task given Poulin’s untimely passing and the expense to create bronze sculptures. And, several of the key players who spearheaded the original project – including Vivian and Lula Taylor – have passed away in the years since the tableau was completed.

The theft of the statue from its Dow Park home was made particularly difficult given that the sculptures were a part of a legacy created by some of the Jamestown community’s most treasured citizens. We can think of no better testament to the work done some 20 years ago than for a reconstituted Underground Railroad Tableau Committee to right the wrong of 2021. Committee members have searched for a sculptor who can replicate Poulin’s work so that the tableau doesn’t look like a piecemeal composition and have begun raising money to pay for the work.

City Council members approved a $30,000 contribution toward the project.

The Underground Railroad Tableau Committee is looking for contributions toward the project. Those interested should reach out to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. This is a project that should be completed.