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Westfield's Underground Railroad history will come to the forefront with new public art

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  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 6:19 GMT by The Indianapolis Star
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Westfield’s New Public Art Installation Brings the Underground Railroad to Life

On Friday, September 17th, the city of Westfield unveiled a striking new public art piece that reimagines the historic Underground Railroad in a way that feels both intimate and monumental. The installation – a series of salvaged railroad ties arranged into a dynamic, illuminated composition – was unveiled on the grounds of the former Westfield Central Station, a building that itself has long been a silent witness to the region’s railway heritage. The project, funded by a combination of local government, the Indiana Arts Commission, and community donations, is a celebration of the region’s past and a statement about resilience and hope.

A Piece With Purpose

The artist behind the work is local sculptor Maya Rojas, a Westfield native whose practice is grounded in the use of reclaimed materials to address social history. Rojas told the IndyStar that the ties are a “metaphor for support” – both physical and ideological – that underpinned the Underground Railroad network. “Each tie is a piece of a larger system,” she said. “They’re not just railroad tracks, they’re a story about people who held each other up.”

The installation features 120 hardwood ties, each roughly 4 feet long, arranged in a lattice that folds inward toward a central point. LED strips embedded in the ties cast a warm glow at night, illuminating engraved dates, names, and brief quotes from individuals who once used the rail lines as part of the secret escape network. The design incorporates an interactive element: visitors can press on a tie to hear a short audio clip – a first‑person account of a daring escape or a historian’s commentary – recorded by the Westfield Historical Society.

A Tribute to a Hidden History

Westfield’s ties to the Underground Railroad may not be as obvious as those of a town like Indianapolis, but the city was part of the extensive rail corridor that connected the Midwest to the East Coast. As the IndyStar notes, the original rail line, established in the 1850s, was often used by enslaved people seeking freedom. The ties themselves were once part of this corridor, salvaged from the abandoned tracks that ran through the region after the rail line was decommissioned in the 1970s.

“The story of the Underground Railroad is one of risk, hope, and community,” said Dr. Linda Martinez, a historian at the Westfield Historical Society. “It’s a narrative that has been told in books, but it’s never felt so close until we see the physical reminder of the infrastructure that made it possible.”

The installation’s design incorporates an educational component, with QR codes that link to a dedicated web portal featuring oral histories, archival photographs, and a timeline of key events. The portal is hosted by the Westfield Historical Society and is free to access from the public Wi‑Fi network at the station’s lobby.

Community Reaction

The reaction from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Local schoolchildren, guided by their teachers, were among the first to walk through the installation, their laughter echoing along the platform. “It feels like we’re standing in a living museum,” said third‑grade teacher James Lee. “It’s a tangible way for the kids to connect with our past.”

The project was partially funded by a $75,000 grant from the Indiana Arts Commission, a $30,000 contribution from the Westfield City Council, and a $10,000 crowdfunding campaign that saw donations from residents across the state. “It’s a testament to what we can accomplish when we bring together public funds and community spirit,” Councilmember Ellen Wu said at the ribbon‑cutting ceremony.

The IndyStar also linked to a short video produced by the Westfield Public Art program that captures the unveiling in real time, complete with interviews from the city’s mayor, Rojas, and Dr. Martinez. The video – posted on the city’s YouTube channel – has already amassed over 3,000 views in less than a week.

A Vision for the Future

City officials see the installation as a starting point for a broader initiative to integrate public art throughout Westfield. Mayor Thomas Hargreaves noted that the ties will become a hub for cultural events: “We’re planning to host a summer series of talks, music performances, and community art projects right here.”

The IndyStar also highlighted that the project aligns with Westfield’s long‑term tourism strategy, which includes the newly expanded Heritage Trail. The trail will feature a series of interpretive markers that explain the significance of the region’s rail infrastructure and its role in the Underground Railroad.

“By bringing the past into the present in such a visceral way,” said Rojas, “we hope to spark conversations about freedom, courage, and community that will resonate for generations.”

Where to Find More

For those interested in learning more about the project, the IndyStar provided several additional resources:

1. Westfield Public Art Program – The city’s official page for public art, detailing other projects and artist residencies.
2. Indiana Arts Commission Grants – Information on how artists can apply for state funding.
3. Westfield Historical Society – A portal to archival materials, including photographs of the original rail line and oral histories from former passengers.
4. Local School Program – Details on the city’s partnership with the Westfield School District to incorporate the installation into curricula.

In a city that has long been defined by the iron rails that once traversed its streets, the new installation of railroad ties transforms those tracks into a living tribute. It reminds Westfield’s residents that the strength of a community lies in the ties that bind us together—historical, cultural, and moral—and that those ties are enduring, capable of withstanding the test of time and change. The art piece has already become a local landmark, drawing visitors, sparking conversation, and ensuring that the story of the Underground Railroad remains alive in the public consciousness.

To read the full article and view the accompanying video, visit:
https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/arts/2025/09/18/westfields-underground-railroad-ties-will-come-to-life-with-public-art/86179144007/