New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On Saturday, February 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park will celebrate the 194th birthday of New Bedford’s most famous orator and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. The park will celebrate Douglass and his legacy, from Civil War to civil rights, by showing films, hosting a panel discussion, and showcasing a poetry slam and live music . All of the day’s activities are free and take place at the Corson Maritime Learning Center located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts. For a complete schedule of activities, stop by the National Park Visitor Center or visit the park on the web at www.nps.gov/nebe.
- 10:00 a.m – 12:00 noon – Exploring the Home Port: The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, and videos by YAP! (Youth Ambassador Program)
- 1:00-2:00 PM: Satellite Panel Discussion on Frederick Douglass hosted by Dr. Edna Medford of Howard University with representatives from New Bedford and Maryland, in collaboration with Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Maryland.
- 2:30 – Poetry Slam featuring Jibreel Khazan, Erik Andrade, Raena Camacho, and Frederick Douglass-Knowles II, Live music by Afrika Rainbow and YAP! (Youth Ambassador Program)
Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and made his first home in freedom in New Bedford. He was one 300-700 escaped slaves who called New Bedford home between 1840 and 1860. To learn more about New Bedford’s Underground Railroad history visit www.nps.gov/nebe or www.nbhistoricalsociety.org.
