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Overview: This is one of two pathways by which MPS seniors can apply for the Legacy Scholarship. Applicants for this pathway must visit the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park (FMSP) and write an essay responding to the prompt below.
Opening Date: January 23, 2026
Essay Deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 11:59 pm. The submission button is located at the bottom of this page.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a graduating MPS senior pursuing future study in a qualifying program. Essay applicants may be asked to participate in additional screening and/or respond to supplementary questions. Proof of college acceptance is required for award eligibility.
Visit Information: Please plan your visit according to the site hours listed below. Legacy Scholarship applicants are permitted FREE ENTRY into the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park between Friday, January 23 and Tuesday, March 31. When you arrive, inform the visitor center or boat launch attendants that you are an MPS senior applying for EJI's Legacy Scholarship for free admission. You will be asked to scan a QR code with your phone and submit a short check-in form.
Site Hours:
Mondays Closed
Tuesdays Closed
Wednesdays 9 am - 5 pm
Thursdays 9 am - 5 pm
Fridays 9 am - 5 pm
Saturdays 9 am - 5 pm
Sundays 9 am - 5 pm
Boat Launch Address:
Park at the following dock address for a free EJI boat ride to the sculpture park along the Alabama River.
101 Morris St,
Montgomery, AL 36104
Freedom Monument Sculpture Park Address:
Use the following address if you wish to skip the boat ride and go straight to the sculpture park instead.
831 Walker Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Freedom Monument Sculpture Park Overview:
Situated on a 17-acre site in Montgomery, the Equal Justice Initiative’s Freedom Monument Sculpture Park (FMSP) creates an immersive examination of America’s history with a focus on slavery and its legacy. The sculptures throughout the FMSP serve to animate the humanity and struggle of enslaved Black Americans and shed light on our nation’s history.
The Sculpture Park is located on the banks of the Alabama River where tens of thousands of Black people were trafficked by boat and rail during the 19th century.
The National Monument to Freedom is located towards the end of the Sculpture Park and stands 43 feet tall and over 150 feet long. It honors all four million enslaved people who were emancipated after the Civil War. At the visitors' center across from the park, descendants of enslaved people in America can trace the identity and location of their enslaved foreparents using the kiosks available inside.
Where to begin: The FMSP walking path is a large loop, but the sequence of the sculptures and signs is important. To experience the park as intended, begin on the path directly behind the large sculpture shown here, called Brick House. The path behind Brick House is where you will begin. The path to the left of Brick House is where you will end.
Essay Prompt
Essay Prompt
Write a personal reflection about the thoughts and feelings you had while at the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. What specific works of art and historical information stood out to you and why? What knowledge and inspiration will you take away from the experience? Your essay should focus on the art, the history, and your own personal connection to what you've learned.
What are we looking for in your essay?
When reading your essay, we will be looking for three things in particular:
1. Content: Is it evident to the reader that you thoughtfully explored the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park content? Does your essay reference specific features, artifacts, and sculptures from the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park that stood out to you? Does your essay cite facts, quotes, and other historical information you learned from reading the text throughout the park?
2. Reflection: Does your essay share your perspective of the art and history you encountered at the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park? Does your essay include how you have personally connected to this history and what you will take away from this visit? At the end of reading your essay, does the reader have a clear understanding of what you felt and learned during your visit to the Park and how it impacted you?
3. Storytelling: Does the writing capture your experience in vivid and compelling ways? Is there a logical and/or emotional flow to how you’ve organized your ideas? Is your essay interesting, informative, and descriptive?
We will be scoring your essays based on this rubric.
Requirements
Include a Title
1,000 words or more
Double-spaced
Ideas and words should be your own (submissions suspected of plagiarism and/or AI generation will be disqualified)
Essays should be written in first-person (for example: I, me, my)
Essay must be submitted via the submission form (below)
Tips
Plan on taking your time. Most visitors can expect to spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours at the FMSP. You may want to walk through twice, or even visit more than once.
Walk into, through, and around the pieces. Sculptures surrounded by a pink path are intended to be explored from every angle. Keep an eye out for opportunities to get a closer look.
Bring a notebook so you can write down your thoughts, ideas, and observations while at the site. Don't forget to write down the names of specific pieces of art you plan to write about later. Jot down the history that stands out to you from the signs. Photography is not allowed at the FMSP, so you'll need to rely on taking detailed notes instead.
Submission Form:
Submission Form:
Submit your final essay by clicking the button below.
Submissions are due by Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm
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