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University Of Maryland To Dedicate Frederick Douglass Square, Honoring Maryland's Native Son

November 12, 2015 College of Arts and Humanities | History

University Of Maryland To Dedicate Frederick Douglass Square, Honoring Maryland's Native Son

The University of Maryland dedicates a new memorial to honor abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland will dedicate a new memorial to honor abolitionist Frederick Douglass, a son of Maryland who has come to represent America’s quest for freedom, liberty and the rights of all people in a democracy. Frederick Douglass Square will act as both a classroom and a monument, educating the university community on Douglass’ accomplishments in the name of justice and equality, as well as what Douglass continues to inspire current and future generations to achieve. 

WHAT: 

The dedication of Frederick Douglass Square will include remarks, tributes and musical performances by University of Maryland officials, students, and local and state dignitaries. A formal unveiling of the statue of Frederick Douglass will conclude the program, followed by a reception and opening of the “Frederick Douglass: Scholarship and Legacy” exhibition. 

The square is a commemorative public space centered on UMD’s Hornbake Plaza, a prominent campus location and hub of student activity. The square features stone pavers and a vertical corten wall, both engraved to highlight Douglass’ words. The wall is built in planters filled with native Irish and Maryland plants to represent Douglass’ roots in Maryland and Irish supporters abroad. In the center, a 71/2-foot-tall bronze statue portrays an urgent and youthful Douglass in Ireland, created by renowned sculptor Andrew Edwards and inspired by the Frederick Douglass Ireland Project

WHO:

Wallace D. Loh, President of the University of Maryland   Bonnie Thornton Dill, Dean of the College of Arts & HumanitiesIra Berlin, Distinguished University Professor, Department of History The Honorable Alonzo T. Washington (’07), Maryland State Delegate, District 22 The Honorable Rushern L. Baker III, Prince George’s County ExecutiveNettie Washington Douglass, Great-great-granddaughter of Frederick Douglass Kenneth B. Morris Jr., Great-great-great-grandson of Frederick Douglass

WHEN: 

Wednesday, November 18, 2015
2:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Hornbake Plaza
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 

PARKING: 

Free parking will be available in the Regents Drive Garage. Media should inform the parking attendant of the purpose of their visit.  

Media Trucks: There will not be space available for media trucks to park near the location of the event. Please ensure all equipment is mobile.  

A campus map can be found here: http://maps.umd.edu/map/ 

MEDIA CHECK-IN:

Media should present credentials at the media check-in table located on Hornbake Plaza. 

AUDIO: 

A mult-box audio feed will be available at the event. 

RSVP: 

All media should RSVP to Kristen Seabolt at kseabolt@umd.edu