Reading Frederick Together at Bow Market

On June 28, 2022, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

The Somerville Museum and Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) are pleased to announce they will host a Reading Frederick Douglass event on Thursday, June 30^th at 4:30pm at Bow Market. Alongside Somerville Museum and CAAS, Mass Humanities announced grants to 20 nonprofits to host public readings and discussions of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” this summer across Massachusetts.

Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery in 1838 and lived for many years in Massachusetts. He delivered the Fourth of July speech on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, to the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. The most celebrated orator of his day, Douglass’ powerful language, resolute denunciations of slavery, and forceful examination of the Constitution challenge us to think about the histories we tell, the values they teach, and if our actions match our aspirations. To quote Douglass, “We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the future.”

To RSVP for this event and stay up to date on details and information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reading-frederick-douglass-together-at-bow-market-tickets-365997146317

For the full list of sites happening this summer, click here.

Organizations interested in learning about future grants should follow Mass Humanities on social media @masshumanities and visit their website.

About Somerville Museum

Located in the heart of the City at the intersection of Central Street and Westwood Road, the Somerville Museum has served as the community’s cultural institution for nearly a century. The Museum’s Federal Revival building was constructed in the 1920’s to house the growing collection of the Somerville Historical Society. In the 1980’s, with a changing demographic and the need to expand the mission of the Society, a handful of committed individuals raised the funds to fully renovate and restore the building. The result was the newly consecrated Somerville Museum, which officially reopened in 1988.

While specializing in the visual arts — including many exhibits with both historical and local significance – the Museum also offers musical and lecture series, a number carried out in collaboration with Somerville’s public schools. An important meeting place for local historical and cultural organizations, the Museum has a long tradition of encouraging hands-on learning projects for young and old alike.

About CAAS

Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) has been the federally designated anti-poverty agency serving Somerville, Massachusetts since 1981. CAAS’ mission is to help local families and individuals achieve financial security while working to eliminate the root causes of economic injustice. CAAS’ holistic approach to community work and wrap-around services considers the web of connections between housing, physical and mental health, employment, nutrition, immigration, education, transportation, family composition, civic engagement, etc., and CAAS supports clients in these area and more through direct services or referral.

About Mass Humanities

Mass Humanities, a non-profit based in Northampton, conducts and supports programs that use history, literature, philosophy, and the other humanities disciplines to enhance and improve civic life throughout Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1974, the organization has provided millions of dollars in support of thousands of humanities projects across the Commonwealth. Established as the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Mass Humanities is an independent programming and grant-making organization that receives support from the NEH and the Massachusetts Cultural Council as well as private sources. For more information, visit www.masshumanities.org.