In Reading Douglass, we explore Frederick Douglass’ passion for reading as a form of resistance. Designed as an interactive installation that invokes the power of reading by recreating a library, the installation invites us to in the words of Douglass “open ourselves up to the ideas of other people.” Douglass knew how deeply political, powerful, and liberating knowledge could be. He always held that through reading “we can begin to see the world in new ways.” This installation provides space for us to explore our own curiosities while learning about how books and reading shaped the life of Frederick Douglass.

Love & Liberation

Celebrating the Closing of Reading Douglass

Saturday, February 11, 2023 | 1 pm – 5 pm
Did you know that statesman Frederick Douglass chose February 14th to commemorate his birth because he liked the traditions surrounding Valentine’s Day?  Join The Lewis Museum as we celebrate Douglass’s upcoming birthday with several activities celebrating Love and Liberation.

• 1 pm –  A Film Screening and Post discussion of Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches with Curator Imani Haynes
  The HBO documentary Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches brings to life the words of our country’s most famous anti-slavery activist. Actors Nicole Beharie (Scenes from a Marriage), Colman Domingo (Euphoria), Jonathan Majors (Lovecraft Country), Denzel Whitaker, and Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) draw from five of Douglass’ legendary speeches, to represent a different moment in the tumultuous history of 19th century America as well as a different stage of Douglass’ long and celebrated life. Inspired by David Blight’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom and executive produced by scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (Black Art: In the Absence of Light), the film features the narration of Douglass’ autobiographies by André Holland and context provided by Blight and Gates to remind us how Frederick Douglass’ words about racial injustice still resonate deeply today. Patrons can also RSVP for a curator’s tour of Reading Douglass with a free discount code which will be sent in your acknowledgment email after you have registered.
  Note: Curator’s Tour has limited group capacity.

• 2:30 pm –  A Curator Led Tour of archival images to learn more about the most photographed man in America in the 19th century and his love for learning with Curator Imani Haynes and Dr. Izetta Autumn Mobley, Director of Interpretation, Collections & Education. Note: Curator’s Tour has limited group capacity.

• 3:30 pm – A  Food Demonstration and Tasting discussing the origins of  Maryland crab soup with a regional chef in connection to a winter soup recipe located in the Reading Douglass exhibition.  Valentine’s treats will be included to enjoy. Patrons can also RSVP for the film and curator’s tour with our free discount code which will be sent in your acknowledgment email after you have registered. Note: Curator’s Tour has limited group capacity.

Plus find out about restaurant deal packages for the upcoming love holiday with some of Baltimore’s finest restaurants.  Patrons who attend the Douglass Love and Liberation activities can receive discounted meal packages with proof of museum receipt. For more information, contact joy.hall@lewismuseum.org.