New Sculpture & A Bit of History in Waldport

On November 19, the city of Waldport unveiled of the new Louis Southworth bronze sculpture at the Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center & Museum.

The sculptor, Peter Helzer, was on hand to speak about his work, as well as invited speaker Zachary Stocks, the executive director of Oregon Black Pioneers. The sculpture will be placed at the Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center & Museum until it can be permanently located at the new Louis Southworth Park sometime in the summer of 2023.

Both the sculpture and park pay tribute to Louis Southworth, a former slave who homesteaded near Waldport in the 1870’s. Southworth was a ferryman and a dedicated fiddle player. Later, Southworth donated land for the first schoolhouse in Waldport and served on the school board.

A story about Southworth and the new City Park aired on November 14 on KOIN-TV6/Portland, produced by KOIN-TV anchor and broadcast journalist, Ken Boddie. Viewers can watch the story here.

To learn more about this project, visit one of these websites:

Oregon Artswatch: A sculpture to celebrate Louis Southworth

Yachats News: Waldport Wins State Parks Grant

OregonLive: Louis Southworth, slave who bought his freedom and homesteaded near Oregon coast, chosen as namesake of new park