Five years after its launch, the Women’s History Trail has reached a milestone in its journey to bring a monumental display of public art to downtown Franklin.
The Folk Heritage Association of Macon County introduced the Women’s History Trail “Walk in Her Steps” on Oct. 27, 2018, and over the years has designated 15 places of importance to women’s contributions to Macon County history. The trail was recognized as the first Women’s History Trail in North Carolina.
“Today we are breaking ground on another stop on the Women’s History Trail, which will feature a magnificent piece of public art,” said WHT co-chair Marty Greeble.
On Oct. 27, 2023, the WHT leadership team joined representatives from the Town of Franklin and County Commissioner Gary Shields to break ground for the “Sowing the Seeds of the Future” sculpture. The sculpture, a gift from the Folk Heritage Association to the town, will serve as the new trailhead and sit between the two bridges spanning the Little Tennessee River in East Franklin.
The sculpture, created by nationally renowned sculptor Wesley Wofford, represents three of Macon County’s diverse women – a Cherokee woman (Na-Ka Rebecca Morris), an African American slave (Salley), and a pioneer woman (Timoxena Siler Sloan) – whose lives and cultures intersected in the early days of Macon County. These historical women are all connected by a specific piece of property that was on the Little Tennessee River across from the Nikwasi Mound.
Women’s History Trail member Theresa Ramsey said the statue will “forever stand on this site as a reminder that our roots do run deep as we link our past to our future and strive to keep our heritage alive.”
Wofford could not attend the groundbreaking due to a prior commitment, but Ramsey read a quote from him: “The sculpture is a metaphor for the evolution of modern society, a narrative about three local women, as well as a history lesson with embedded historically accurate details. It is intended to acknowledge and celebrate women’s contributions, to inspire future generations of girls and women to pursue their dreams, and to challenge us all to learn from the past and aspire for a more equitable future.”
Franklin Mayor Jack Horton was among the town representatives who saw the statue last year at Wofford’s studio in Cashiers. “It was absolutely amazing,” he said, adding that the statue will give people an appreciation of not only our history and culture, but the importance of women in this area.
Horton said the statue will become a focal point for the Town of Franklin and that he has been telling people across the state about the statue.
“Everyone is going to be amazed,” he said, adding that the emotion captured in the statue is very moving. “When they hear about this, they’ll make the trip to see it and they’ll be moved. It will make an impression – it did on me.”
Franklin Town Council member Rita Salain said she hopes people will be proud of the statue and the history it represents. “It is beautiful, and it is meaningful,” she said. “We’ve honored men for so many years in so many ways and this truly honors women and their contributions not only in making the county a vibrant, economically feasible town, but also the community spirit that women share with one another.
“All these women have worked so hard to make this a community, and I think this honoring of women in this very special way is meaningful,” Salain continued. “I am so proud of Macon County having the first Women’s History Trail and this trailhead as the beginning of it is remarkable.”
The idea for the sculpture originated with the late Barbara McRae, a local historian, Town Council member, vice mayor and former editor of The Franklin Press. McRae passed away in March 2021 but was represented during the groundbreaking ceremony with her photo attached to one of the shovels.
“Barbara McRae’s vision was like sunshine, and it spread all over Franklin and it spread all over Macon County,” said WHT co-chair Mary Polanski. “That sunshine of Barbara McRae brought to life so many great projects and just so many very good things that we still are benefitting and will continue to benefit from what she did.”
The statue was sent to a foundry in Texas to be cast in bronze and is now complete and awaiting installation next spring during Women’s History Month.
“In March 2024 –thanks to the good work and the work we’ve got to do yet, Na-Ka and Salley and Timoxena Siler Sloan – they’re going to come home. So, I think we ought to dig in and get the rest of this work going,” Polanski said just before they used gold shovels to dig into dirt at the site.
“May the lives and interactions between the ladies in this sculpture grouping be an inspiration to our community members and guests to treat each other with kindness and mutual respect and to strive to work together for the good of all,” said WHT member Claire Suminski.
The cost of the sculpture has been fully funded through donations. The Folk Heritage Association continues to raise funds to help with the installation of the hardscaping and landscaping that will surround the sculpture. Ramsey said about $50,000 is still needed to complete the pavers for the walkways. The Town of Franklin allocated $75,000 in its 2023-24 budget to go toward site preparation and landscaping.
“Without the support of the Town of Franklin, this project would not have gotten this far,” Ramsey said.
Franklin landscaper Richard Clark is designing the “pocket park” that will surround the sculpture. It will include a circular paved walkway with the sculpture in the center, benches and shrubbery that will help buffer the site from the surrounding traffic, but without blocking the view for pedestrians and motorists. Clark said he talked to the sculptor, and they agreed to each pick a spot without telling the other – and the location in East Franklin is what they both envisioned. Clark said people driving in both directions will have a view of the sculpture and the location represents where the lives of the women intersect.
Clark said he enjoys being involved in projects such as this, even though it may not make his company a lot of money. He knew McRae as well and appreciates her idea for the statue and her contributions to the county. “It’s exciting,” he said.
He’s looking forward to designing the public spaces around the statue and thinking about how people will interact with it. He said some of the design work is ongoing, but he would like to see an opportunity for the community to get involved, such as students or community organizations helping with the plantings. He said that would not only help keep costs down, but it would give people “buy-in” on the project so they feel like they are part of it.
“I’d like to see people get their hands on it,” he said.
Landscape designer Nichole Bradford said it has been an honor to work on the project. “I was really captivated by the little girl when they are putting their seeds in her hand, he really captured the gratitude in her face. It’s amazing to me,” she said of one of the children depicted in the sculpture.
“It’s going to be an amazing space,” Bradford said. “I love it when cities have central areas as you come into the city.”
Anne Hyder, chair of the Folk Heritage Association, thanked the mayor, town employees and Town Council for partnering on the project. She stated the association’s goal is to provide living history experiences to educate, demonstrate and preserve the heritage of Macon County. Hyder expressed appreciation for all the work that has been done so far and thanked the donors who helped make the dream of bringing public art to Franklin a reality.
To learn more about the Folk Heritage Association, the Women’s History Trail or to make a donation, visit folkheritageassociation.org.