The Frederick Douglass Memorial Statue
Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey had been born into slavery on the banks of the Tuckahoe River and was slave on the Wye Plantation. His struggles to be free began in Talbot County and his success in running away to freedom and subsequent life as an author, orator, statesman, and abolitionist made him one of the most famous people in history to come from the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
For many years, various people in Talbot County had wanted a monument to Frederick Douglass. Groups including the Frederick Douglass Monument Project of the Talbot County Historical Society and the Frederick Douglass Memorial Action Coalition had some initial success in moving projects forward.
In 2008 Eric Lowery began to speak with others who were willing to work toward completing the task of honoring Talbot County’s famous native son. In 2009, Eric stepped forward to become the President and spokesperson for the Frederick Douglass Honor Society. At that time the Honor Society was an advisory board consisting of members of the Talbot County Branch of the NAACP, the American Legion Blake-Blackston Post #77, the Samuel T. Helmsley Elks Lodge #974 as well as a diverse group of community residents.
Members of the Frederick Douglass Honor Society visit the studio of sculptor Jay Hall Carpenter in Washington D.C. From left to right: —-, Doreen Getsinger, —-, —-, Paulette Addison, Eric Lowery, Harriette Lowery, Jay Hall Carpenter, —-, Childlene Brooks.
In September 2009 the Frederick Douglass Honor Society formed a partnership with Mayor Robert Willey and the Town Council of Easton to help bring this important project to a successful conclusion. The Town of Easton provided financial management, legal assistance and project management. Later, in October, the Honor Society conferred Honorary Membership upon Judge James Thomas and Mrs. Mary Tilghman, two descendants of the Frederick Douglass story.
In November 2009 a “Request for Proposals” was sent out to prospective artists inviting submission of designs for the statue. A design committee reviewed entries and chose Jay Hall Carpenter as the sculptor for the statue.
Carpenter, a professional sculptor since 1976, earned his reputation during 20 years as sculptor for the Washington National Cathedral. He created the original carver’s models for over 500 sculptures that adorn the gothic, limestone building. These sculptures include saints, angels, grotesques, and gargoyles. Many American churches have commissioned his work, as have the State Department, the Smithsonian, Canterbury Cathedral, and the New England Medical Center. Other clients include, the University of Missouri at St Louis, and the State of Maryland.
Carpenter was elected into the National Sculpture Society before the age of thirty and has received multiple national awards for his sculptures. Carpenter has also won numerous sculpture design competitions, including those to create an eight-foot bronze of Maryland State Comptroller Louis Goldstein for the State Capitol, and a life-size bronze and granite sculpture of Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog for the University of Maryland.
2010 was a busy year of community outreach and fundraising. “An Evening with Frederick Douglass” was held at the Avalon Theatre, partnering with the NAACP, promoting community awareness of the Society and its mission. The Historic District Commissions approval was obtained and the Talbot County Council approved the design and location for the memorial. In October of 2010 the first “Frederick Douglass Day” was held at The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
Douglass Returns
A huge celebration was planned for June 16th through the 19th, 2011. “Douglass Returns” would bring hundreds of people from Easton, Talbot County and all over the Eastern Shore together to celebrate the unveiling of the statue.
On the evening of June 16th the Academy Art Museum hosted a reception for Jay Hall Carpenter. The program included selections of gospel music from the New St. Johns U. M. Church Men’s Choir from Wittman, Md. An exhibition of Jay Hall Carpenter’s work was on display in the atrium and Carpenter presented a slideshow of the creation of the statue.
On Friday evening The Douglass Gala was held at the Tidewater Inn. Eric Lowery introduced the speakers and an invocation was given by Reverend Nancy Dennis of St. Stephens A.M.E. Church, Unionville, MD.
After dinner & dessert in the Gold Room, Walter Black and Maureen Scott-Taylor presented awards to the distinguished honorees:
• Judge James Thomas
• Mrs. Mary Donnell Tilghman
• Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio
• Mayor Robert Willey and the Town Council of Easton
• Talbot County Council
Guests were treated to a performance of Carlton Spitzer’s monologue “Born To Be Free“. Jabari Exum was riveting, portraying a young Frederick Douglass as he considers escaping from slavery. The Frederick Douglass H.S. Alumni Jazz Band of Baltimore, MD provided music.
Walter Black and Maureen Scott Taylor present an award to Judge James Thomas.
Walter Black presents an award to Mrs. Mary Donnell Tilghman.
Eric Lowery speaks with Easton Mayor Robert C. Willey.
Walter Black and Maureen Scott Taylor introduce author Carlton Spitzer and actor Jabari Exum.
The Frederick Douglass Memorial Statue Unveiling Ceremony
On Saturday, June 19th at 9:30 the ceremony began to unveil the statue of Frederick Douglass. While it was a very hot day, the excited crowd assembled on the lawn of the Talbot County Courthouse were in excellent spirits. Co-Chairs Eric Lowery and Childlene Brooks welcomed everybody. The American Legion Blake Blackston Squadron # 77 Color Guard presented the colors followed by an invocation by the Rev. Emmanuel Johnson, Union United Methodist Church, St. Michaels.
The Honorable Robert C. Willey, Mayor Of Easton spoke about the long journey to this day. He was followed by Honorable Dirck Bartlett, President, Talbot County Council. The Libation Ceremony was performed by Reverend Wendell Gary, Bethel A.M.E. Church and the Reverend Richard Molock, Asbury U.M. Church, Easton.
Musical selections included “I Believe I Can Fly” Performed By Baam (Building African American Minds) and a performance by the Union Baptist Mass Choir, then contest winner Juliette Neil read her Frederick Douglass Essay.
Dr. David Blight, Director, Gilder Lehrman Center For The Study Of Slavery, Resistance, And Abolition At Yale University gave the keynote address after which Ian Young sang “Deep River”.
Acclaimed Frederick Douglass re-enactor Fred Morsell presented “A Soul’s Evolution – Frederick Douglass On Race” followed by the Union Baptist Mass Choir.
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley gave a speech and then the Governor, Eric Lowery, Juliette Neil and Brandon Coleman unveiled the Frederick Douglass Memorial Statue. It was an amazing ceremony.
On June 18th at 3pm at the Avalon theatre, Professor Mark Leone presented “In The Shade Of Frederick Douglass: The Archaeology Of Wye House” showing the discoveries made at Wye House through archaeology, including slave quarters and other places slaves lived and the archaeology of the Green House or Orangery. The lecture focused on the food traditions of enslaved Africans as discovered through the analysis of fossil pollen, faunal remains, and the Lloyd family cookbooks. The emphasis was on the creativity of African American culture seen through archaeology from 1770 through today. The larger significance is the long term endurance and uniqueness of African American culture on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and how to find it. Professor Leone has taught in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Maryland, College Park.
At dusk that evening was an event called “A Silent Tribute To Frederick Douglass: Projected Images On The Talbot County Courthouse”. The show featured 19th century photographic and engraved images of Frederick Douglass which lit up the building. The audience were able to view the images from inside the courthouse grounds and the surrounding sidewalks outside of the courthouse fence.
The final event for Douglass Returns was the Juneteenth Jubilee Interfaith Service at Moton Park in Easton. Clergy and congregants from many faiths came together in celebration.
Visit our Events page to find out more about our annual Frederick Douglass Day celebrations both past and future. Frederick Douglass Day is held on the third Saturday in September in Easton, MD.
