Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial (Annapolis, Maryland)
Dublin Core
Title
Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial (Annapolis, Maryland)
Subject
Subject (Topic)
African Americans--History
Enslaved persons
Maryland--Annapolis
Slavery--Maryland
Transatlantic slave trade
Subject (Name)
Haley, Alex, 1921-1992
Subject (Object)
Commemorative sculpture
African Americans--History
Enslaved persons
Maryland--Annapolis
Slavery--Maryland
Transatlantic slave trade
Subject (Name)
Haley, Alex, 1921-1992
Subject (Object)
Commemorative sculpture
Description
The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial is located at the City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland. The bronze sculpture group includes a life-size statue of Alex Haley who sits on a stone bench. He is shown reading with one hand on an open book and his other hand resting in his lap. Three children, two girls and a young boy, sit or lay on the brick plaza in front of Haley, looking and listening to him with rapt attention. On Leonard A. Blackshear Walkway, parallel to the memorial, a “Story Wall” consists of ten markers with bronze plaques containing text from Alex Haley’s Roots; each plaque is framed with bas-reliefs that relate to the message of the text.
Creator
Dwight, Ed, 1933-
Source
Photograph: Preservation Maryland, Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Story Wall Photographs by Renée Ater
Story Wall Photographs by Renée Ater
Date
June 12, 2002
Contributor
Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation; Gary S. Schwerzler (site design); Peter D. Tasi (Story Wall & Information Stand); Patricia Fisher McHold (Story Wall & Information Stand); Wiley A. Hall (Story Wall: Narrative); Joe Baker (construction); City of Annapolis (construction); Fort Meyer Construction Company (construction); Pagliaro Brothers Stone Company (construction); Signcraft, Inc. (construction)
Rights
City of Annapolis, 160 Duke of Gloucester, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401, United States
Format
JPEG
Language
English
Type
Visual Arts-Sculpture
Coverage
City Dock, Compromise and Main Streets, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401, United States
Has Part
Inscription on bronze plaque on granite triangle:
Alex Haley, Family and Heritage
Alex Haley, in his family’s story, Roots, shows how the strength of the human spirit to overcome challenges comes from maintaining strong family connections and pride in one's heritage. Here Alex shares heritage stories with children of diverse ethnic groups.
Take time to share heritage stories with children so they can pass on their proud heritage and learn respect for the heritage of others.
Inscription on bronze plaque on granite triangle:
Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial.
An educational, inspirational, and healing place revealing universal messages of Alex Haley’s Roots saga.
Components of this site were dedicated in three stages: September 1997; December 1999; and June 2002.
Participants in the dedications included the Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation; notable officials from the Federal, Maryland State, Anne Arundel County, and City of Annapolis Governments; the United States Naval Academy; the Haley and Ridout families; and Roots film star John Amos.
Thousands of people from across the USA and other countries attended the dedications thereby reflecting the universal appeal of Haley's messages.
Interpretive Architect: Gary S. Schwerzler
Sculptor: Ed Dwight
Writer: Wiley A. Hall, III
Designer: Peter D. Tasi Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation President and Founder: Leonard A. Blackshear
Inscription of original “arrival” bronze plaque (1981):
To commemorate the arrival in this harbor of Kunte Kinte, immortalized by Alex Haley in Roots, and all others who came to these shores in bondage and who by their toil, character and ceaseless struggle for freedom have helped to make these United States. A luta continua!
Sponsors: V.O.T.E., Anne Arundel Coalition of Tenants
Dedicated September 21, 1981
Inscription of Story Wall plaque, Dedication:
You must hear me now with more than your ears!
Omoro Kente, Roots
This Story Wall is dedicated to those nameless Africans, brought to the New World against their will, who struggled against terrible odds to maintain family, culture, identity and above all, hope.
• DEDICATION •
Inscription of Story Wall plaque, Heritage:
The farthest-black person they ever talked about was a man they called the "African." Alex Haley, Roots
Alex Haley's Pulitzer Prize-winning book Roots inspires all peoples to embrace their heritage. As we discover our personal history, we realize that all members of the human family share a universal bond.
• HERITAGE •
Inscription of Story Wall plaque, Servitude:
Share his pain! Mandinka Elder, Roots
Millions of Africans were stolen from their families and forced to endure the horrors of the Middle Passage and slavery. The New World was built largely on their labor, on the subjugation of Native Americans, and on the indentured servitude of Europeans and Asians.
• SERVITUDE •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Perseverance:
We all suffer. If a man's wise, he learns from it. Boteng Bediako (Uncle Pompey), Roots
The strength and perseverance of our ancestors, such as Kunta Kinte, teach universal lessons including survival through faith, strength through family, and wisdom through forgiveness.
• PERSEVERANCE •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Faith:
Behold! The only thing greater than yourself! Omoro Kinte, Roots
Faith allows us to endure even the most bitter trials and tribulations. Through belief and faith, people are empowered to accomplish great things, if not for themselves, then for their children.
• FAITH •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Family:
Your sweet grandma and all of them-they are up there watching you. Cousin Georgia, Roots
Knowing our family is knowing ourselves. Our values and traditions are forged through the struggles, heartache, pain, hopes and dreams of our ancestors.
• FAMILY •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Forgiveness:
When you clench your fist, no one can put anything in your hand, nor can your hand pick up anything. Omoro Kinte, Roots
Knowledge of history can be the first step away from anger and bitterness. Truth leads to understanding. Understanding and forgiveness lead to reconciliation and healing.
• FORGIVENESS •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Love:
We must be in this place as one village! Mandinka Elder, Roots
Love ties us to the past, connects us in the present, and links us to the future. It is not enough that we learn to live together. We must learn to respect and love each other.
• LOVE •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Challenge:
Things don't ever get better unless you make them better. Tom Murray, Roots
In Roots, Alex Haley reminds us that only through individual efforts will this country overcome racial and ethnic anger, guilt, hatred and fear, and remain a beacon of opportunity and hope for oppressed people around the world.
• CHALLENGE •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Diversity:
Hear me! Though we are different tribes and tongues, remember we are the same people! African Elder, Roots
America’s strength is diversity. People come here from all over the world, bringing new energy and new dreams. Each person has a story to tell, and every story enriches and invigorates us.
• Diversity •
Alex Haley, Family and Heritage
Alex Haley, in his family’s story, Roots, shows how the strength of the human spirit to overcome challenges comes from maintaining strong family connections and pride in one's heritage. Here Alex shares heritage stories with children of diverse ethnic groups.
Take time to share heritage stories with children so they can pass on their proud heritage and learn respect for the heritage of others.
Inscription on bronze plaque on granite triangle:
Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial.
An educational, inspirational, and healing place revealing universal messages of Alex Haley’s Roots saga.
Components of this site were dedicated in three stages: September 1997; December 1999; and June 2002.
Participants in the dedications included the Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation; notable officials from the Federal, Maryland State, Anne Arundel County, and City of Annapolis Governments; the United States Naval Academy; the Haley and Ridout families; and Roots film star John Amos.
Thousands of people from across the USA and other countries attended the dedications thereby reflecting the universal appeal of Haley's messages.
Interpretive Architect: Gary S. Schwerzler
Sculptor: Ed Dwight
Writer: Wiley A. Hall, III
Designer: Peter D. Tasi Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation President and Founder: Leonard A. Blackshear
Inscription of original “arrival” bronze plaque (1981):
To commemorate the arrival in this harbor of Kunte Kinte, immortalized by Alex Haley in Roots, and all others who came to these shores in bondage and who by their toil, character and ceaseless struggle for freedom have helped to make these United States. A luta continua!
Sponsors: V.O.T.E., Anne Arundel Coalition of Tenants
Dedicated September 21, 1981
Inscription of Story Wall plaque, Dedication:
You must hear me now with more than your ears!
Omoro Kente, Roots
This Story Wall is dedicated to those nameless Africans, brought to the New World against their will, who struggled against terrible odds to maintain family, culture, identity and above all, hope.
• DEDICATION •
Inscription of Story Wall plaque, Heritage:
The farthest-black person they ever talked about was a man they called the "African." Alex Haley, Roots
Alex Haley's Pulitzer Prize-winning book Roots inspires all peoples to embrace their heritage. As we discover our personal history, we realize that all members of the human family share a universal bond.
• HERITAGE •
Inscription of Story Wall plaque, Servitude:
Share his pain! Mandinka Elder, Roots
Millions of Africans were stolen from their families and forced to endure the horrors of the Middle Passage and slavery. The New World was built largely on their labor, on the subjugation of Native Americans, and on the indentured servitude of Europeans and Asians.
• SERVITUDE •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Perseverance:
We all suffer. If a man's wise, he learns from it. Boteng Bediako (Uncle Pompey), Roots
The strength and perseverance of our ancestors, such as Kunta Kinte, teach universal lessons including survival through faith, strength through family, and wisdom through forgiveness.
• PERSEVERANCE •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Faith:
Behold! The only thing greater than yourself! Omoro Kinte, Roots
Faith allows us to endure even the most bitter trials and tribulations. Through belief and faith, people are empowered to accomplish great things, if not for themselves, then for their children.
• FAITH •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Family:
Your sweet grandma and all of them-they are up there watching you. Cousin Georgia, Roots
Knowing our family is knowing ourselves. Our values and traditions are forged through the struggles, heartache, pain, hopes and dreams of our ancestors.
• FAMILY •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Forgiveness:
When you clench your fist, no one can put anything in your hand, nor can your hand pick up anything. Omoro Kinte, Roots
Knowledge of history can be the first step away from anger and bitterness. Truth leads to understanding. Understanding and forgiveness lead to reconciliation and healing.
• FORGIVENESS •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Love:
We must be in this place as one village! Mandinka Elder, Roots
Love ties us to the past, connects us in the present, and links us to the future. It is not enough that we learn to live together. We must learn to respect and love each other.
• LOVE •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Challenge:
Things don't ever get better unless you make them better. Tom Murray, Roots
In Roots, Alex Haley reminds us that only through individual efforts will this country overcome racial and ethnic anger, guilt, hatred and fear, and remain a beacon of opportunity and hope for oppressed people around the world.
• CHALLENGE •
Inscriptions of Story Wall plaque, Diversity:
Hear me! Though we are different tribes and tongues, remember we are the same people! African Elder, Roots
America’s strength is diversity. People come here from all over the world, bringing new energy and new dreams. Each person has a story to tell, and every story enriches and invigorates us.
• Diversity •
Medium
Bronze
Bibliographic Citation
Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation, Inc., “The Memorial.” Accessed October 9, 2024. https://kintehaley.org/the-memorial/.
Rights Holder
Renée Ater
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Sculpture
Citation
Dwight, Ed, 1933-, “Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial (Annapolis, Maryland),” Contemporary Monuments to the Slave Past, accessed October 1, 2026, https://slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1263.