Each year, the community of Talbot County unites to celebrate the life and legacy of the esteemed Frederick Douglass, whose abolitionist writings and speeches swept the nation and cemented his position in the American philosophical and political canon. On Saturday, September 27^th, the town of Easton will once again host Frederick Douglass Day, an annual tradition of over a decade, bringing Douglass’ legacy to life through music, ceremony, and educational events. The event, organized by the Frederick Douglass Honor Society (FDHS), serves as a reminder of the inseparable ties between Douglass and his birthplace of Talbot County, as well as the continued importance of carrying on his message of equality.

Douglass was born into slavery in February 1818 on a plantation near Easton. The plantation, now known as the Wye House, still stands today, and the nearby communities of Unionville and Copperville are largely occupied by the descendants of people who were enslaved at the plantation. In his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Douglass wrote at length about the brutal conditions he endured on the plantation; he then recounts how he was moved to Baltimore to serve the Auld family.

It was in Baltimore that Douglass initially learned to read and write, at first under the instruction of Sophia Auld. These lessons ceased once Sophia and her husband Hugh determined that literacy would encourage Douglass to seek freedom, but he secretly continued his own education with some assistance from local white children. He stressed the importance of literacy throughout his life and career, believing it to be the key that allowed him to fully realize the brutality of slavery and the need for abolition.

After 20 years spent under the yoke of slavery, Douglass escaped to New York in September 1838 with the assistance of Anna Murray, a free black woman who would soon become his wife. The pair moved to Massachusetts, where Douglass became a licensed preacher and began delivering sermons and public speeches; he published his autobiography in 1845, which became a nationwide bestseller and called attention to the burgeoning abolitionist movement. Later in his life, he also became a leader in the movement for women’s suffrage, and additionally led a recruitment drive to enlist African American soldiers for the Civil War. After a long and storied career, Douglass passed away in Washington, D.C. in February of 1895.

In 2011, the first Frederick Douglass Day, then known as “Douglass Returns,” was held to celebrate the unveiling of a brand-new statue of Douglass on the lawn of the Talbot County Courthouse, where Douglass himself gave several speeches during his lifetime. The Frederick Douglass Honor Society had been hard at work the past several years raising funds for the statue and working with local elected officials and community leaders to secure its location at the courthouse. Following this success, Frederick Douglass Day became an annual celebration, even continuing virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s Frederick Douglass Day will once again bring together the Talbot County community as well as visitors from far and wide. The day’s events will kick off at 10am with a parade leading from Glenwood Avenue to the Talbot County Courthouse on Washington Street. The parade will be led by Grand Marshall Childlene Brooks, a former president of FDHS, as well as Community Marshall Brianna Wooden, daughter of the late Brenda Wooden who also served as FDHS president. Participants will include the Easton High School NJROTC Color Guard, local charity organization BAAM (Building African American Minds), mascots from the local Waterfowl Festival, the Easton and Oxford Fire Departments, and many more. Music for the parade will be provided by the Easton Middle and White Marsh Elementary School bands, as well as celebrated local bagpiper Randy Welch.

After the parade concludes, a Welcome Ceremony will be held on the front lawn of the courthouse, featuring speeches from local community leaders. The ceremony will be led by Mistress of Ceremonies Gabriella Thompson and will begin with an invocation by Minister Javion Jones of Union Baptist Church as well as a presentation of colors by the Easton High School NJROTC. Washington College fellow Darius Johnson will recite a speech originally delivered by Douglass, which will be followed by speeches from FDHS Vice President Edward “Boots” Robinson, Mayor of Easton Megan Cook, Talbot County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sharon Pepukayi, Talbot County Free Library Director Dana Newman, and more. Musical acts at the ceremony will include Randy Welch, the Mid-Shore Community Band, and Dana Bowser.

Several of the day’s events will be held at the Talbot County Free Library, including the Children’s Village, which will begin at 11:30am on the library lawn. Children of all ages can enjoy Douglass-themed coloring books, a portrait booth where kids can take photos with Frederick Douglass, games, a prize wheel, and story time with Shauna Beulah at 11:30 and 12:30. Inside the library, multimedia panels will display photos and information about Douglass and his family; the National Park Service will also provide several object which were personally owned by Douglass.

At 1pm in the library’s meeting room, a lecture will be presented by Nicholas Buccola, professor of humanism and ethics at Claremont McKenna College. The lecture, titled “Frederick Douglass, American Revolutionary,” will explore how Douglass conceived of himself as an heir to the American revolutionaries and reimagined revolutionary principles to meet the challenges of his time. Buccola’s writing on Douglass and other figures such as James Baldwin and Abraham Lincoln has been widely celebrated; his upcoming book, One Man’s Freedom, explores the ideological conflict between Martin Luther King Jr. and conservative politician Barry Goldwater. Following the lecture, Buccola will sign copies of his book Essential Frederick Douglass.

Musical events will continue from noon to 3pm at the Entertainment Stage, located at the intersection of Dover and West streets. Solo performers will include American Idol contestant Ayla Dennis, as well as Ruby Fisher and Sofia Fernandez. Group acts include the Asbury United Methodist Choir, directed by Ricky Caldwell, the New St. John’s United Methodist Men’s Choir, directed by Dwight Henry, Allegra Academy Choir, directed by Amy Morgan, and the Bay Country Chorus. Beside the entertainment stage, a marketplace will feature local food vendors and non-profit organizations.

The annual Frederick Douglass Day has become a beloved tradition in Talbot County, enriching the community as well as reminding us to honor and preserve Douglass’ legacy in our own lives. Filled with fun and educational events for all ages, this year’s celebration on Saturday, September 27^th is not one to be missed. Mark your calendars and be sure to come out and celebrate the life and works of one of Maryland’s most renowned historical figures.