The Frederick Douglass House

U.S. History Students Visit The Frederick Douglass House

Maria, Morgan, Emma and Maria pose with "The Lion of Anacostia."

Students pose on front porch. This field trip took place on January 12th, 2016.

Abele, Katie and Dan

Abele- Do you have stories you want to tell us about Douglass' experiences with John Brown, William Lloyd Garrison and Harriet Tubman? ANSWER- They attended conferences together and gave speeches together.

Dan- When did this house become a national historic site? ANSWER- Immediately after he passed away.

Jasmine and Jessica

Jacq

Jacq- Why was Douglass study decorated in tropical style? ANSWER- After being Ambassador to Haiti, that influenced how he decorated that room.

Students watched a very good video on the life of Frederick Douglass

Katie in front of Douglass' study

Katie- How did Frederick Douglass die? ANSWER- He had a heart attack in this house. He had given one speech and was about to leave to give another speech when he had his heart attack?

Jazmine

Jose, Jessica and Diego-upstairs bedroom wing

Kiambrae and Giovante in the study

BKR in Douglass' bedroom and workout room. Note the barbells.

BKR- What were Douglass' duties as a U.S. Marshall for Washington, DC? ANSWER- He campaigned and made speeches for Rutherford Hayes. So when Hayes won the election he appointed Douglass to that position. I'm not sure exactly what his duties were.

Jazmine and Sakina

Kiambrae and Emma in front of original painting of the Massachusetts 54th.

Emma- Did Mr. Douglass think that his autobiography changed people’s minds about the intellectual capabilities of slaves? ANSWER- His autobiography did effect the other slaves, because he described his escape so well. . His autobiography proved his sense of writing and being able to be intellectual and teach him self how to read and write. So yes they viewed him differently because of how successful he was.

Patrick and Susan thank Delphine (and below Nate) for an interesting tour.

Patrick- One of Douglass' quotes was "I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs." He also slammed religious slave-holders. Did he have doubts about his religion? ANSWER- He did not have doubts about his faith but he had doubts about other people's interpretations of their faith.

Andrew, Maria, Maria, Morgan, Emma and Kiambrae

Morgan (3rd right)- We read that Douglass’ sons served during the Civil War. Were they in combat? ANSWER- Two sons participated in actual combat and one was a ranger. One of the sons that participated in actual combat during the civil war were part of the 54th.

Maria (2nd left)- Frederick Douglass mentioned the songs slaves sung. At that time or even after slavery did Douglass or others refer to those songs as "the blues" which how we know them now? ANSWER- Yes.

Maria- (3rd left)- Did Mr. Douglass change his mind about the Declaration of Independence after slavery ended, you know his "The Fourth of July is yours not mine..." speech? ANSWER- I don't know.