Walk in the Footsteps of Frederick Douglass!
Civil rights pioneer. Orator and author. Diplomat and advisor to President Abraham Lincoln. The life of Frederick Douglass is a shining example of how the human spirit can triumph over adversity. This year marks the 200th anniversary of Douglass’s birth, and to honor him, the U.S. government created the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission.
Baltimore played a large role in Douglass’s life. Born into slavery in Maryland in 1818, Douglass came to the city as a child. He learned to read and later worked at Fell’s Point shipyards before escaping to freedom in 1838. Douglass returned to Baltimore after the Civil War to help create a thriving African-American community here.
To honor this Charm City connection, Baltimore Black Heritage Tours hosts the “Frederick Douglass Path to Freedom Walking Tour” in historic Fell's Point.
Walk with knowledgeable guides along a route that highlights the places Douglass lived, worked, and worshipped. Learn about Baltimore’s role in slavery and the Underground Railroad. Along the way, you’re sure to enjoy the unique retail shops, eateries, and personalities of Fell’s Point, also called Old Baltimore. And when you’re done with the tour, be sure to grab a drink or a bite to eat at one of the area’s popular restaurants. It promises to be a fun, educational adventure, only a 15-minute drive from Anthem House!
Ticket prices range from $7-$15 per person. For more information, call (443) 983-7974 or click here.
Notable stops on the Frederick Douglass Path to Freedom Walking Tour include:
Dallas Street and Douglass Place – A few years before he died in 1895, Douglass bought land on Dallas Street in Fell’s Point. He built five homes, known as “Douglass Place” or “Douglass Row,” that served as rental properties for African-Americans. They still stand today and can be visited by the public.
President Street Station – Douglass escaped from slavery in Maryland in 1838. Legend says that he passed through this station as part of his journey on the Underground Railroad. The station is now the Baltimore Civil War Museum. 601 S. President Street. For more information, click here.
Happy Alley (Aliceanna Street at South Durham) – While in bondage, Douglass was sent to this Fell’s Point location as a child to serve the family of Hugh Auld. Despite her husband’s objections, Sophia Auld taught young Douglass to read the alphabet.
Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park – A rich, interactive experience for families and history lovers of all ages, this national heritage site recounts the story of Frederick Douglass and his life as a young man in the shipyards of Baltimore. 1417 Thames Street. For more information, click here.
Maryland Historical Society – This renowned organization features a Civil War exhibit detailing the history of abolition in Maryland and the impact of Frederick Douglass as an activist, abolitionist, and national personality. During the war, he advised President Abraham Lincoln and helped recruit African-Americans to fight for the Union. 201 West Monument Street. For more information, click here.
The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum – Frederick Douglass is only one of the influential icons showcased at this unique Baltimore attraction, which traces African-American history from the Middle Passage through today. This year, the museum is unveiling a brand-new wax figure of Douglass. 1601 E. North Avenue. For more information, click here.
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History and Culture – Celebrating the legacy of African-American Marylanders, this beautiful museum boasts events and exhibitions honoring the achievements of Frederick Douglass. 830 E. Pratt Street. For more information, click here.
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