
Photo by John Muller & William Alston-El. Copyright strictly enforced online and offline.
Throughout the greater countryside and the greater DC metropolitan area there are Douglass statues. Throughout Ward 8 there are a number of murals and depictions of Mr. Frederick Douglass. Some are well done, while some could use a little touch-up work.
The newest Douglass-related mural doesn’t depict the visage of the Lion of Anacostia, instead it depicts local children planting and watering a sapling in the front lawn of Cedar Hill, the home of Douglass from the fall of 1877 until his death in February 1895.
This expansive vertical mural spans three stories on the 15th Street SE side of Ketcham Elementary School, named for Union General, Congressman and District Commissioner John H. Ketcham.
On the top reads, “Planting roots now to grow strong later.”
On the bottom reads, “Once you learn to read, you will forever be free.” – Frederick Douglass
This mural is part of a larger and ongoing renovation and beautification of the school famous and revered among the streets and inhabitants of Old Anacostia.

Photo by John Muller & William Alston-El. Copyright is strictly enforced, online and offline.