“The Lost History of Frederick Douglass and Irish Americans” -> [virtual -> March 17, 2023 @ 7:30 PM]

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During his quarter-century of living in Washington City Frederick Douglass maintained an affinity for Ireland and its people by forging new relationships and friendships with members of the local Irish American community and cultivating newfound connections to Ireland in the emergence of a Home Rule movement Douglass fully embraced.

The New National Era, published under the editorial guidance of Frederick Douglass and his sons in the early 1870s, was consistent, if not strident, in its support of the Irish Home Rule Movement.

During local calls and national efforts to provide support to causes related to Ireland Douglass regularly attended meetings in Washington City and contributed monies to the fundraising cause and encouraged his friends to do so as well.

When Irish dignitaries from artisans to members of Parliament visited and spoke in Washington following the American Civil War they were often joined by Frederick Douglass.

On several occasions, while living in Washington City, Douglass delivered a lecture, “Thoughts and Recollections on a Trip to Ireland,” before the Travel Club and an African Methodist Episcopal Church.

After serving in the US diplomatic corps as Minister to Haiti, Douglass delivered a speech on Haiti in which he invoked Daniel O’Connell in comparing the struggle for freedom in Ireland with the struggle for freedom in Haiti.

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** RSVP — Friday, March 17, 2023 @ 7:30 PM **

“The Lost History of Frederick Douglass and the First Ladies” -> [virtual -> March 9, March 15, March 22 and March 31, 2023 @ 7:30 PM]

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In this new groundbreaking presentation learn about the lost history of Frederick Douglass and the First Ladies of the United States from Mary Todd Lincoln to Lucy Webb Hayes to Lucretia Garfield to Frances Folsom Cleveland. From visits to the White House to collaborative work within the philanthropic community of Washington City to shared personal correspondence and experiences this brief presentation will chronicle the overlooked relationships and associations of Frederick Douglass and the First Ladies of the United States.

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** RSVP — Thursday, March 9, 2023 @ 7:30 PM **

** RSVP — Wednesday, March 15, 2023 @ 7:30 PM **

** RSVP — Thursday, March 22, 2023 @ 7:30 PM **

** RSVP — Friday, March 31, 2023 @ 7:30 PM **

“The Lost History of the Fiancé of Frederick Douglass” [Virtual presentation -> March 20, 2023 & March 30, 2023 @ 7:30 PM]

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To recognize Women’s History Month 2023, learn about the long lost history of the fiancé of Frederick Douglass in this groundbreaking presentation.

Following the August 1882 death of Anna Murray Douglass, wife of Frederick Douglass for 44 years, her husband was crestfallen. However, Frederick Douglass remained active within Washington’s Black community attending weddings, school exhibitions, benefit events and political functions. By the spring of 1883 rumors began to emerge that Frederick Douglass was surprisingly engaged to a “young colored lady.” However, this engagement was broken off. In late January 1884 Frederick Douglass married Helen Pitts and the history of the “young colored” fiancé of Douglass was lost. Until now.

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**RSVP — Monday, March 20, 2023 @ 7:30 PM**

** RSVP — Thursday, March 30, 2023 @ 7:30 PM **

Virtual Presentation -> Lost History of Frederick Douglass, Simon Wolf and Jewish Washington [May 1 & May 29, 2023]

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For more information -> *HERE*

“Historian honors the life of Frederick Douglass in Baltimore with walking tour” [WJZ – Baltimore, Produced by Chris Olaniran]

WJZ – Baltimore, Produced by Chris Olaniran.

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For more information – *Walking Tour: The Lost History of Frederick (Bailey) Douglass in Baltimore*

CBS Baltimore: ‘Not just an admirer’: Gov.-elect Wes Moore to take oath on Frederick Douglass’s Bible at swearing-in ceremony [January 15, 2023]

BALTIMORE – Wes Moore will be sworn in as governor Wednesday in Annapolis on his grandfather’s bible and Frederick Douglass’s Bible, he said. 

Moore’s inauguration ceremony will begin at noon on Wednesday at the State House in Annapolis. He will take the reigns from Gov. Larry Hogan to become the state’s first Black governor.

Douglass, a Maryland native, received the Bible from members of the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.

He was born into slavery and later escaped to become an abolitionist, author and speaker.

“Douglass was a proud Marylander and as your next governor, I will work every day to carry on his legacy of fighting for justice and equality,” Moore said.

According to The Washington Post, the National Park Service approved Moore’s request to use the Bible.

“I’m not just an admirer, but someone who is a true connoisseur of his life, of his teachings, of his writings,” Moore told The Washington Post. “And I’ve wondered what he would think about this moment, particularly with his life, with his sacrifice, with his frustrations.”

The Bible, embossed with “Frederick Douglass” on the front, is part of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site museum collection, cared for by the National Park Service. 

The Washington Post reports that for the swearing in ceremony, it will be in a specially designed protective container held by Moore’s wife, Dawn. Only the new governor’s hand will touch it.

The Bible was a gift to Douglass in 1889 from the congregation of Washington’s Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the oldest Black churches in the District. It was presented to Douglass as he prepared to travel to Haiti to serve as President Benjamin Harrison’s United States resident minister and consul general until July 1891, according to information provided by the National Park Service.

CBS News Baltimore original story *LINK*

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Editor’s Note:

This story is about a month old now but pertains to statements Maryland Governor Wes Moore has made for the record on Frederick Douglass. We do hope under Governor Moore’s tenure there will be an increased commitment – a real commitment as opposed to ceremony and proclamation – to the public recognition of Frederick Douglass throughout the state of Maryland. To be continued.

Video: Frederick Douglass in Vermont (1843) -> Vermont Historical Society: This Place in History: Great Convention in Ferrisburgh

As part of 1843’s Great Convention, Frederick Douglass gave anti-slavery speeches in Middlebury and Ferrisburgh. He was heckled and harassed in Middlebury, but very well received in Ferrisburgh.

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thank you to Hagerstown Community College & Hagerstonian Douglassonians for celebrating Douglass Day 2023

Thank you to Hagerstown Community College and Librarian Kendra Perry for celebrating Douglass Day 2023 and uplifting the local history of Frederick Douglass in Hagerstown!

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Jonathan Street in Old Historic Hagerstown. In late April 1879 U.S. Marshal Frederick Douglass delivered a lecture in the city and visited the principal streets.

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Virtual -> “Lost History: Frederick Douglass & West Virginia’s First Colored Newspapers” (Sunday, February 5, 2023; 8:00 PM EST)

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** REGISTER HERE **

Douglassonian & Author Dr. Ida E. Jones presents on her latest book “Baltimore Civil Rights Leader: Victorine Q. Adams” [Tues, February 7, 2023 6:30 PM; Maryland Women’s Heritage Center]

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Victorine Q. Adams: Baltimore Civil Rights Leader

February 7, 2023 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Featuring Author Dr. Ida E. Jones

Dr. Ida E. Jones, a MWHC board member, reveals the story of the remarkable civic leader Victorine Q. Adams and her crusade for equity for all people in Baltimore.

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mwhc-author-talk-victorine-q-adams-baltimore-civil-rights-leader-tickets-514918835097

Signed books by the author will be available for sale:

 $20 picked up; $25 shipped

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Across time and geography Honorable Dr. Ida E. Jones has uplifted both humanity and local history with her insightful, thoughtful and groundbreaking scholarship and public history lectures. We thank Dr. Jones for her loyal friendship and scholastic collaborations with Douglassonians near and far.