Frederick Douglass returns home

FrederickD uglass returns home

Steven Fr ias

On a recent episode of the podcast, “Why is this happening?”, hosted by Chris Hayes of MSNBC fame, the guest was historian David Blight. The topic was rethinking America’s statues, monuments, and memorials as the country grapples with its history.

Blight argues that the dialogue shouldn’t just include the history that needs to come down, but the history that needs to go up. His suggestion: America needs a memorial to Frederick Douglass, the former slave who became, as the title of Blight’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Douglass biography makes clear, the nation’s “Prophet of Freedom.” Well, David Blight is getting his wish! Because there is already a plan to erect a memorial to Frederick Douglass in the city where he first tasted freedom, found his name, and sharpened his oratory: New Bedford. As part of its ambitious Abolitionist Row Historic District project, the New Bedford Historical Society issued a “Call for Artists” last year that went out around the country and garnered 20 applications, according to its president, Lee Blake. The Douglass Memorial Committee reviewed all the applicants, and selected sculptor Richard Blake (no relation) for the project to create a Frederick Douglass memorial which will sit in the park that will be part of Abolitionist Row. Richard Blake lives and works in the Amish countryside of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “As a sculptor, Richard focuses on historical figures with social significance. His compelling sculptures capture the realistic figure, the social context, and the spirit of the person,” Lee Blake writes. She further explains in a phone interview that, due to public input, the depiction of Frederick Douglass will be age appropriate to the time he really lived in New Bedford, as a young man of 20, and be very accessible. The sculpture will find Douglass seated on a bench, with the space to allow visitors to sit right alongside him.

Thescul turewill findD uglassseated n abench, with thes acet all w visit rst sitright al ngsidehim

One such visitor may very well be David Blight. Blake recounts that he has visited New Bedford several times, and in a sneak peek of future plans reveals that he will be returning for a discussion about the Underground Railroad in the not-toodistant future. The creation of the Abolitionist Row Historic District and Park, where the Douglass memorial will find a home around September, 2021, has been a labor of love for Blake and represents an extraordinary accomplishment for herself, the Historical Society she leads, and the City of New Bedford.

J urneyt freed m

The journey began back in the 90s with the restoration of the Nathan and Polly Johnson House (actually two adjoining houses) on Seventh Street in New Bedford. Working with WHALE, the society brought the properties back to life and today open them to the public for tours. According to nbhistoricalsociety.org, “The Johnson House was home to African American abolitionists Nathan and Mary Johnson and served as an active Underground Railroad station. The Johnson House was the first home in freedom for Frederick and Anna Douglass who escaped enslavement from Maryland to New Bedford in 1838.” It’s also where Douglass literally became “Douglass.” Until then, he was known as Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. But escaping slavery meant remaking his identity, and Nathan Johnson gave him the name “Douglass” in addition to refuge. As if that wasn’t historical enough, New Bedford is where Frederick Douglass honed his speaking and writing skills in city churches, developing the legendary arguments that would, as author Blight writes, fuel his legacy as a “Prophet of Freedom.” So, it is entirely appropriate that a Douglass memorial find a home in New

Thinking about selling your home? Join our waiting list today!

TheNathan and P lly J hns n H use is art ftheAb liti n R wHist ric Districtin NewBedf rd. A ark acr ssthestreetwills n beh me t anewscul ture fFrederick D uglass.

Bedford, Massachusetts. It was actually the launching pad for the man who would become a national and international voice and writer of conscience. The sculptor Blake is uniquely suited to the task, and the Historical Society has selected wisely. His sculptures have been included in over 100 International and National exhibitions and are represented in many private collections and public outdoor commissions. His work has received numerous honors and awards from the nation’s oldest and most venerated art institutions including the National Sculpture Society and the National Academy of Design, both located in Manhattan. He has also served as the President of the National Sculpture Society (NSS) from 2007 thru 2010 and is a fellow of NSS. He has also interpreted Douglass before. For the campus of West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where Douglass delivered several of his historic abolitionist and suffragist speeches, Blake created a seven-and-a-half-foot bronze and stone sculpture of Frederick Douglass that you can see, along with his other work, at richardblakesculptor.com. In all, Abolitionist Row Park will include “many elements to make it not only a historical attraction for residents and visitors alike but also a destination for folks traveling to and touring the New Bedford

Adult communities for 55+ Join our extended family! Safe, worry-free living with fun activities and friendly on-site management

Oakwood – Swansea –508-324-1279 OakwoodSeniorEstates.com

Westport Village North Farm – 62+ Westport –– Somerset –508-636-6775 508-676-9700 WestportVillageApartments.com NorthFarmSeniorEstates.com — Equal Housing Opportunity —

Historical District and Waterfront,” states the Historical Society. Other elements include a Cherry Tree border and seasonal floral changes, a community garden space, a public gazebo and plaza area to serve as a space for events or just to provide shade to spend some time outside in the neighborhood, and walkways and seating to tour visitors through different markers denoting the historical context of the neighborhood, which also includes the historic Friends Meeting House. That was also crucial to New Bedford’s antislavery movement and the Underground Railroad. But there is no doubt that a memorial to one of the country’s most important historical personages will be the highlight of Abolitionist Row Park.

Steven Fr ias is a freelance writer based in New Bedford and is a regular -contributor for The South Coast Insider and South Coast Prime Times. He can be reached at NewBedfordNow@gmail.com.

Fall River's Best Taxi & Transportation Service Airport Transportation Non-Emergency Medical Transportation 508-673-5843

JEANNE FULLER-JONES Seniors Real Estate Specialist/Partner

WWW.JFJHOMES.COM

774.240.8928 • jfuller-jones@kw.com 574 Washington St, Easton MA 02375