Frederick Douglass Community Reading at Stagville

Commemorate Independence Day with a reading of Frederick Douglass’ powerful Fourth of July address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” at Historic Stagville State Historic Site.

This is a participatory community reading. Every year, 60 volunteers sign up to read passages from this famous abolitionist speech in front of the historic slave quarters at Horton Grove. You may sign up as a reader when you arrive.

Douglass delivered this powerful speech about freedom and injustice on July 5, 1852, at an Independence Day celebration in Rochester, New York. Douglass’ speech remains one of the most famous abolitionist texts in United States history. The speech resonates today, inviting all to reflect on the United States’ founding ideals and our shared history of slavery and freedom.

Bring a chair or blanket to sit on the grounds. The event will be outdoors at the historic slave quarters at Horton Grove at 5925 Jock Road, Bahama, NC 27503. This free event lasts about 1 hour, with the option to go inside the original slave quarters or Great Barn at Horton Grove afterwards.