Several organizations and community groups are planning events in 2018 to commemorate the 200th birthday of Frederick Douglass through music, readings from his autobiography and several visionary art performances.

“Frederick Douglass was a transformative figure within the development and history of this nation,” said James E. Williams, Jr., former public defender for Orange County and a member of the committee planning the bicentennial events throughout the county. “He escaped from slavery and became one of the critical figures in propelling this nation toward the abolition of slavery. In those bleak times, he had a vision and a hope for a better life, and he fought for that. He was truly a remarkable person whose contributions to our nation deserve to be celebrated.”

Douglass was born in February 1818, although his exact birth date was not recorded. Congress approved and President Trump signed legislation in November creating the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission as part of a nationwide celebration of the 200th birthday of the famed 19th-century abolitionist, writer and public servant.

The events are funded by Orange County, the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro branch of the NAACP, the UNC Center for the Study of the American South, Orange Organizing Against Racism and Marion Phillips.

As part of the celebration, the organizations purchased 1,000 copies of a commemorative edition of "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave." The books will be distributed throughout the community, with an emphasis on youth, as part of the national One Million Abolitionists effort led by the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives.

The FDFI is seeking to print one million hardcover copies of the book in 2018 to be given to young people, who will be asked to create service projects to address an urgent social justice issue present in their community.         

Scheduled Events

All the events listed below are open to the public and free of charge. More events are being planned, including an appearance from Frederick Douglass' great-great-great grandson, Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., and will be added to the website as they are finalized.

Frederick Douglass: Then and Now

Thursday, February 22, 7 p.m.

Chapel Hill Public Library, Meeting Room B

What would Frederick Douglass think of 2018? What did his contemporaries think of him? What was Douglass’s impact, then and now? A panel of scholars, including Reginald Hildebrand and Patrick Horn will consider and comment on these questions and more. Join us for this town/gown special event, co-sponsored by Carolina Public Humanities.

Other events will be held at Chapel Hill Public Library the week of Feb. 18-24, including a book discussion on Feb. 19 and a Jeghetto puppet show on Feb. 24. For more information, visit chapelhillpubliclibrary.org/events

Reading Douglass in Public

Wednesday, February 28, 6-8 p.m.

Orange County Public Library Main Library

Join local authors, poets, historians and social justice advocates as they read from Douglass’ The Narrative.

Discuss “The Narrative”

Monday, March 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Orange County Public Library Main Library

The First Monday Classics Book Club led by local authors from Hillsborough will discuss The Narrative. No need to register or be a member of the book club. Just come on by!

For more information contact Orange County Community Relations Director Todd McGee at (919) 245-2302 or tmcgee@orangecountync.gov.