Reading Frederick Douglass Together
2025 marks the 7th year for this event.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 5:30 - 6:30pm, Trum Field, 541 Broadway, Somerville (followed by City Fireworks).
Join the Somerville Museum and the Department of Racial and Social Justice as we celebrate the legacy of Frederick Douglass by reading one of his most famous speeches together, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July." The event will be introduced and accompanied by John Hughes playing live Kora music.
This event is free and all are encouraged to attend and participate in the reading and post-performance discussion. Please RSVP through this link to receive updated details and information.
The Somerville Museum hosts an annual reading of Frederick Douglass’ famous address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” delivered to an AntiSlavery Society in 1852. We are part of a number of communities across the Commonwealth that read this address together and reflect on our past and present. The readings are followed with a discussion led by our Project Scholar, Steven Blythe. This year, we’re also joining forces with local organizations – Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), the City of Somerville’s Department of Racial and Social Justice, and Bow Market. This program is supported, and sponsored by Mass Humanities.
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Reading Frederick Douglass Together 2024
Thursday, June 27, 2024 | Bow Market
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Reading Frederick Douglass Together 2023
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | 5pm–6:30pm | Bow Market (upstairs level, indoors)
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Reading Frederick Douglass Together 2022
Thursday, June 30, 2022 | Bow Market
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Reading Frederick Douglass Together 2021
Thursday, July 1, 2021 | Live Event at Bow Market
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Reading Frederick Douglass Together 2020
Thursday, July 2, 2020 | Virtual Event
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Reading Frederick Douglass Together 2019
Thursday, June 27, 2019 | Live Event at Bow Market
This program is supported in part by a grant from Mass Humanities, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Special thanks to the Bow Market team for continuing to be wonderful partners and allowing us to use their space for this important event.
