New addition coming to John W. Jones Statue in Elmira

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – Plans are moving forward to expand and improve the John W. Jones Musem at 1248 Davis Street. 18 News learned the museum will build a new memorial pathway made of personalized bricks that will lead visitors to the statue on Davis Street.

The statue honoring John W. Jones, called “the Crossing,” was officially dedicated in June . It was made by sculptor Gary Weisman.

The museum says for $150; you can buy a granite brick that will be “diamond-tipped engraved” with a short custom message. The museum says about 500 bricks are available. People can buy more than one brick.

Jones, an escaped slave from Virginia, helped lead hundreds of people to freedom after becoming a part of Elmira’s Underground Railroad. He also worked to identify 2,973 Confederate soldiers who died in the “Hellmira” civil war prisoner camp and give them a dignified burial. The museum says Jones kept such precise records that on “December 7, 1877, the federal government declared the burial site as the National Woodlawn Cemetery.

Talima Aaron, President of the museum’s board of trustees, said Jones’ statue is a reminder of Elmira’s rich history.

“Great people have done great things here in Elmira. We have a history to be proud of,” Aaron said. “We wanted to inspire and generate critical thinking. Jones is pointing to freedom and beckoning with his other hand, saying “follow me, it’s this way.”

Aaron says the new statue has led to an increase in passersby’s and museum visitors. “The statue is doing what it intended to do. It’s getting people interested in a real local hero.”

The museum says John W. Jones was born a slave on a plantation south of Leesburg, Virginia, on June 21, 1817. In 1844, at the age of 27, he fled north and settled in Elmira. In 1847, he became the sexton or caretaker of the first church building of Elmira’s First Baptist Church. The church and its congregation also became a part of the Underground Railroad.

By 1860, Jones is credited with helping more than 800 runaway slaves. The museum says Jones received fugitives in parties of six or ten. At times, he is said to have found shelter for up to 30 men, women and children a night. The museum says it is believed Jones sheltered many in his own home behind First Baptist Church.

Aaron says G.P.S coordinates were used to position Jones’ statue, so he is pointing directly to where he led many freedom seekers: the St. Catharines Church in Ontario, Canada.

Aaron says the museum is also nearing its goal of raising $1,000,000 to build a new room for the museum. Aaron said the museum is “about 90% away.”

In July, New York Congressman Nick Langworthy announced the John W. Museum would be receiving a $45,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to fund expansions at the museum.

“The John W. Jones Museum honors a local hero and provides meaningful learning opportunities about his life and the Underground Railroad,” said Congressman Langworthy. “This federal investment, matched by local funding, will allow the museum to increase its visitor capacity and expand its programming, ultimately allowing more visitors to engage with and learn from this important piece of our history.”

For more information, you can visit the John W. Jones Museum website here .

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