“Love came to me and I was not afraid to marry the man I loved because of his color.” These defiant words echo the spirit of Frederick Douglass. Welcome to the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. It stands as a powerful testament to the life and legacy of a man who defied the odds. He rose from slavery to become one of the most important figures in American history.
This site preserves Cedar Hill. Cedar Hill was Douglass’s home from 1877 to his death in 1895. Perched atop a hill, it offers a sweeping view of the U.S. Capitol. That view embodies Douglass’s enduring impact on the nation.
Douglass purchased the home in 1877. He secured a $6000 loan from his friend Robert Purvis. The 14-room Victorian home sat on nine acres. Douglass expanded it to 21 rooms, including a two-story library. The house became a space for cultivation and intellectual pursuits.
With his grandson Joseph, Douglass filled the west parlor with music. They played the compositions of Franz Schubert. This was a testament to Douglass’s refined tastes.
After moving here, Douglass continued to write. He wrote in his studio. The studio was located in the yard. There he penned his last autobiography, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. It was published in 1881 and reissued ten years later.
Douglass’s personal life saw both joy and sorrow here. His first wife Anna suffered a stroke in 1882. She was partially paralyzed. She died on August 4. Douglass was devastated. “The main pillar of my house has fallen,” he wrote.
In 1884, Douglass married Helen Pitts. She was a white woman. The marriage caused controversy. Helen’s father never approved. He refused to visit Washington. He would only come if his daughter and her husband were out of town. Despite the disapproval, Helen stood by her choice. She declared that love mattered more than color.
Tragedy struck on February 20, 1895. Douglass collapsed while telling Helen about a speaker at a women’s rights rally. He passed away at Cedar Hill.
After Douglass’s death, Helen founded the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association in 1900. The National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs joined in 1916. These groups preserved the house until 1962. Then the National Park Service took over.
In the 1920s, Black architect William Augustus Hazel restored the house. This is believed to be the first historic preservation project by a Black architect in the United States.
Today, you can visit the interpretive visitor center. You can also see a reconstruction of Douglass’s “Growlery”. That was a small stone building where he wrote and studied.
The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site stands as a reminder. It reminds us of one man’s fight for equality. It shows his pursuit of knowledge. It embodies his unwavering belief in the power of the human spirit. Take a moment to reflect on his words and his life. Consider the battles he fought and the legacy he left behind.