HISTORIC NORTHAMPTON
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reading frederick douglass together

Reading Frederick Douglass Together
Join us for a Public Reading of Frederick Douglass's Fourth of July Address
Monday, July 3, 2023 at 11:30 am
​On the Grounds of Historic Northampton
"What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?  I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all
other days in the year, the gros
s injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim."

- Frederick Douglass, 1852

Picture
Reading Frederick Douglass Together brings people together to read aloud Frederick Douglass’s speech, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

Come to listen or come to read a passage.  Copies of Douglass’s speech will be distributed to all in attendance.  The public can take turns reading passages from it in succession.  This event is free and open to the public. 

200 chairs will be available.  Feel free to bring your own chair.

During the reading, the grounds are closed to dog walking. Certified service dogs only, please.
Reading Frederick Douglass Together

When: Monday, July 3, 2023 at 11:30 am
Where: Historic Northampton
46 Bridge Street
Northampton, MA 01060
In downtown Northampton

Directions

Picture

"This Fourth of July is yours, not mine.  You may rejoice, I must mourn."
Read the full speech

Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery in 1838 and lived for many years in Massachusetts. He delivered the Fourth of July speech on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, to the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. The most celebrated orator of his day, Douglass’ powerful language, resolute denunciations of slavery, and forceful examination of the Constitution challenge us to think about the histories we tell, the values they teach, and if our actions match our aspirations. To quote Douglass, “We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the future.”
The themes addressed in the speech still resonate with Americans more than 150 years after they were written.  Now more than ever, the speech forces us to reckon with the legacy of slavery and the promises of democracy.
Frederick Douglass had strong ties to the abolitionist community, the Northampton Association of Education and Industry (1842-1846) and the African-American community in Florence which included David Ruggles, who assisted Douglass when he arrived in New York City via the "underground railroad."  Douglass spoke in Northampton and Florence about slavery and the abolitionist movement.
Learn More

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Reading Frederick Douglass Together is a statewide initiative coordinated by Mass Humanities.
Now in its 14th year, the program will take place in communities across Massachusetts.
www.masshumanities.org

Watch a Filmed Reading
The Northampton event is funded by Mass Humanities and co-sponsored by
State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa in partnership with:
  • ACLU Massachusetts
  • Academy of Music
  • All Out Adventures
  • Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity
  • Center for New Americans
  • City of Northampton
  • Congregation B'Nai Israel
  • David Ruggles Center
  • Daily Hampshire Gazette
  • Downtown Northampton Association
  • Edwards Church
  • First Churches of Northampton
  • Florence Bank
  • Forbes Library
  • Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
  • Greenfield Savings Bank
  • Grow Food Northampton
  • Healthy Hampshire
  • International Language Institute
  • League of Women Voters (Northampton Area)
  • Markham Nathan Fund
  • Northampton Human Rights Committee
  • Northampton Center for the Arts
  • Northampton Neighbors
  • Northampton Open Media
  • St. John's Episcopal
  • Smith College
  • Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership
  • Sojourner Truth Memorial Committee
  • TransHealth
  • Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence
  • Ward 3 Neighborhood Association

Photographs of the Northampton Reading Frederick Douglass Together event in 2022 by Paul Shoul.
HISTORIC NORTHAMPTON
46 Bridge Street Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
info@historicnorthampton.org | 413-584-6011

Museum Hours

Wednesday - Sunday
12 noon - 5 pm

Closed on holidays

© COPYRIGHT 2015-2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • About
    • About Historic Northampton
    • Hours and Directions
    • What's On View >
      • Main Street Exhibit
      • The Sarah Strong Chest
    • Board-Staff
    • Legal/Financial
  • Programs
    • Upcoming Programs
    • Past Programs 2022
    • Help I am not receiving email announcements
  • Explore
    • Collections & Research
    • History at Home >
      • Videos
      • Interactive Witch Trial
      • Paper Dolls
      • Hidden Histories
      • Scavenger Hunts
      • Coloring Pages
      • Brain Teasers
      • Peg Doll Hunts
      • Jonathan Edwards Prayer Requests
    • Properties >
      • Parsons House
      • Damon House
      • Shepherd House
      • Shepherd Barn 2020
      • The Bridge Street School Sprouts
    • Educational Websites
    • Historic Highlights
    • COVID-19 Stories >
      • Vaccination Photos
      • Submit Your COVID Story
      • Children React
      • Family and Neighborhood Fun
      • It's a New World
      • Hope and Togetherness
      • Images
      • How Illness Feels
      • Brings Forth Memory
      • Blessings and the New Busy
      • Fear and Worry
  • Indigenous Native History
    • Native Histories in Nonotuck
    • Nonotuck Histories Essay by Margaret M. Bruchac
    • Recovering Nonotuck Histories Photo Essay
    • Profiles of Native People
    • Extended Biographies of Native People
    • Nonotuck to Northampton Maps
    • Native LIves Bibliography
  • History of Slavery
    • About the Slavery Research Project
    • Black Enslaved People
    • Free Black People
    • Native Enslaved People
    • Enslavers of People
    • Relationship Map
    • Timeline of Slavery in Northampton
  • DONATE
    • Make a Donation
    • WAYS TO GIVE
    • Join the Email List
    • MEMBERSHIP
    • IRA Giving
    • Stock Giving
    • Donate to the Collection
    • Volunteer