A Less-Chatty Sculpture Stands Silent in Harrisburg's Riverfront Park

A Less-Chatty Sculpture Stands Silent in Harrisburg's Riverfront Park

Back in the day, one Holocaust survivor called it a 'shrieking statue.' Wander through Harrisburg's Riverfront Park today, and all's quiet. But the memories still hush-whisper, reminding us of what was.

Nestled in the heart of Riverfront Park, along the meandering Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, you'll stumble upon a pensive, somewhat ghostly, monument. This is none other than the Commonwealth's Holocaust Memorial, a chilling tribute to the victims of World War II. The idea and design came to life in 1992, spearheaded by David Ascalon, at a cost of 200,000 bucks. Standing tall since 1994, it was a time when the U.S. Museum made headlines.

Today, the annual Yom Hashoah observance solemnly takes place at this site. One survivor, Bernard Weinstein, once referred to it as the 'shrieking statue', describing it as a stern reminder of the horrors that transpired. Although the sculpture is hushed now, the memories it embodies continue to murmur, a shiver-inducing reminder of a darker epoch. The site has been designated by the City of Harrisburg, nestled comfortably within the public park land adjacent to the Susquehanna River.

As you ramble along Riverfront Park, the memorial invites a moment of introspection, a somber nod to the Holocaust, a silent testament to the lives that were lost.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Friendly Jane

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