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In the 1870’s Douglass settled in Washington, DC. During this time, Douglass was invited to speak before audiences of his brethren in Maryland. He was often invited to speak at black churches in Baltimore. In 1874, Douglass visited the town of Annapolis where he visited the Maryland State House and an A.M.E. Church. Douglass also visited his hometown at Tuckahoe Neck in Talbot County. Newspapers of the time reported on his interest in potentially purchasing a home on the Eastern Shore.

Full body portrait of Frederick Douglass

Powerful Recitation in Annapolis

In 1874, Douglass visited the town of Annapolis where he was hosted by Thomas Young, a steward at the United State Naval Academy. During his visit Douglass made stops at the Maryland State House and an A.M.E. Church. While at the State House, Mr. Douglass recited George Washington’s resignation of his commission.

An account of Frederick Douglass, which details the following: This well-known colored orator was in thie city a few days since. Below is how the American correspondent recorded his sayings and doings in this city: 'Honor Frederick Douglass, with some friend, among them Mr. Downing, have been in this city for the past few days as the guests of Thos H. Young, and in the meantime have visited all the places of interest and been received wherever they went, in a courteous and kind manner by the officials. They express themselves highly gratified with the attention and respect shown them, Mr. Douglass going so far as to say that it even exceeded his expectations. He had not been here for forty years. While at the State House, the part went into the Senate Chamber, and seeing the painting representing General Washington resigning his commission after the close of war in that ancient hall, Mr. Douglass, as he walked to and fro in front of it, repeated audibly and with all the force and pathos of his oratorical powers, the General's eloquent and touching address, ad Governor Miffin's reply. Those who heard him say it was the finest elocutionary effort they have ever listened to. On Sunday evening he addressed the colored people of the city at the African M.E. Church.'

Newspaper Tribute at Death

This clipping of an article regarding the death of Frederick Douglass was inserted in Henrietta L. Anthony’s copy of My Bondage and My Freedom.



A death report for Frederick Douglass in the newspaper, which reads: The Aged Ex-Slave Statesman suddenly passes away. He had been to the National Council of WOmen in the Afternoon, and Came Home to Die—Lived to a Good Old Age Full of Usefulness—Born in Talbot County Seventy Years Ago, He Ran Away From His Master in Baltimore—Efforts at Self-education in Order to Get to this Life Work, the Uplifting of the Colored Race — Notable Contributions to the Cause of Abolition—An Editor, Author and Statesman—Tribute of Bishop Wayman. Washinton, February 20.—Frederick Douglass, the noted freedman, orator and diplomat, died a few minutes before seven o-clock tonight at his residence in Anacostia, a suburb of this city, of heart failure. His death was entirely unexpected, as he had been enjoying the best of health. During the afternoon he attended the National ouncil of the Women of the United States, now in progress in this city, and chatted with Susan B. ANthony and others o the leading members, with whom he has been on intimate terms for many years. When he returned home he said nothing of any feeling of illness, though he appeared to be a little exhausted from the climb up the steep flight of steps leading from the street to the house, which is on a high terrace. He sat down and chatted with his wife about the women at the convention, telling of various things that had been said and done. suddenly he gasped, clapped his hand to his heart and fell back unconscious. A doctor was hastily summoned and arrived within a very few minutes, but his efforts to revive Mr. Douglass were hopeless from the first. Within twenty minutes after the attack the faint motion of the heart ceased entirely, and the great ex-slave statesman was dead.

Article in Baltimore American & Commerical Advertiser circa 1895

State Recognition

On February 15, 2020 a statue of Frederick Douglass was unveiled by Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland General Assembly. The statue, which was unveiled along with a statue of Harriet Tubman, recognizes the contributions of Maryland's African American figures to the legacy of the state.


A copper bust of the late Frederick Douglass

Regarding Returning Home...



When one has advanced far in the journey of life, when he has seen and traveled over much of this great world, and has had many and strange experiences of shadow and sunshine, when long distances of time and space have come between him and his point of departure, it is natural that his thoughts should return to the place of his beginning, and that he should be seized with a strong desire to revisit the scenes of his early recollection, and live over in memory the incidents of his childhood.