Governor Hogan of Maryland has proclaimed 2018 “The Year of Frederick Douglass” in recognition of the famed abolitionist’s bicentennial year. Here are some top tips for visitors wanting to experience The Year of Frederick Douglass and learn about the key role the Capital Region played on the road to Civil Rights:
Maryland
- Experience Maryland’s new ‘Following In His Footsteps – Maryland’s Frederick Douglass Driving Tour’. Begin your journey to discover Frederick Douglass’s deep roots in Maryland on the Eastern Shore, at The Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe and on through Talbot County, Baltimore and Annapolis.
- Walk in Frederick Douglass’ Footsteps. Marylander Frederick Douglass is being honoured this year and visitors to the Capital Region can follow Douglass’ footsteps in history through his childhood working on Baltimore’s shipyards, visit the ‘Douglass Place’ homes which he built for African American renters after the Civil War or take the Frederick Douglass Path to Freedom Walking Tour to celebrate his legacy at key sites throughout Baltimore. The well-known abolitionist, author, and adviser to President Abraham Lincoln was born into slavery in 1818 and spent his childhood years in Baltimore’s Fell’s Point before escaping to freedom in 1838.
- Discover Baltimore’s National Historic Seaport and explore four centuries of history. This byway passes through the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and explores African American maritime history.
- Visit The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture in Baltimore. This museum celebrates more than 350 years of Maryland African-American history and culture and includes the story of Frederick Douglass and the challenges and consequences faced by freedom seekers.
- Discover Maryland’s Underground Railroad. Visitors to the region can drive the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway which opened a new visitor centre in 2017 or visit The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Exhibit opening February 2018 at Baltimore City Hall celebrating Douglass life in Baltimore and involvement in the Underground Railroad from his birthplace in Tuckahoe through Annapolis, Baltimore and St Michaels to freedom.
Washington DC
- Visit The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site located in Anacostia. This historic property was the home of Frederick Douglass in his last years from 1877 until 1895. It can be seen by guided tours and guests can access and informative visitor centre dedicated to Douglass’s life.
- Discover D.C’s Civil Rights history with this three-day ‘Civil War to Civil Rights’ itinerary or visit the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial and ‘I Have A Dream’ flagstone at the Lincoln Memorial to stand in the footsteps of one of the United State’s most famous rights activists.
- The Museum of African American History and Culture celebrated its first birthday in September 2017 and continues to feature exhibits including Defending Freedom, Defining Freedomand A Changing America. The former covers the era of segregation and the onset of the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the struggle that African Americans faced and conquered in establishing a cultural identity and their own communities, changing the nation along the way. The latter goes from 1968 until today, covering the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. to Barack Obama’s two terms as president, journeying from the Black Panthers to #BlackLivesMatter.
Virginia
- Follow the new American Evolution™ Digital Trail which features 400 of the most dynamic places, stories and objects that highlight the first 400 years of Virginia history. This new interactive app has been developed in conjunction with Virginia’s 2019 Commemoration American Evolution which will observe the 400th anniversary of the first representative legislative assembly in the New World, the arrival of the first recorded Africans to English North America, the first official Thanksgiving in North America, the arrival and expanding the impact of women on the Virginia Colony and looks to celebrate the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of the Virginia Colony.
- March on the frontline of Virginia’s six battlefield National Parks and learn about the strategic importance of the State during the American Civil War.
For more information on the Capital Region USA visit: www.capitalregionusa.co.uk
For images and maps of the ‘Frederick Douglass: Following In His Footsteps’ Driving Tours click here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b2rrllaa64erdbz/AADodbUxcdQTKULyPgnzF0-ba?dl=0