NEW YORK—After years of preparation, the Frederick Douglass Memorial is finally open to public. A dedication ceremony was held on Tuesday at the northwest corner of Central Park, where the memorial is located.
A dozen city officials joined by curious visitors gathered at Frederick Douglass circle on the damp morning to celebrate the famous African-American abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman.
Tony Award nominee Andre Deshields, dressed as Frederick Douglass, delivered excerpts from “Oration In Memory Of Abraham Lincoln,” which was made by Douglass originally in 1876 at the unveiling of Freedmen’s Monument in Washington D.C. Members of IMPACT Repertory Theatre and the Harlem School of the Arts also performed.
Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) escaped to New York as a young man from a slave owner and dedicated his whole life to the struggle against slavery. Though born a slave, Douglass learned to read and write in secrecy. He published his famous autobiography depicting his life as a slave and later traveled around America and Europe making speeches on abolition. Douglass served as a consultant to President Lincoln during the Civil War.
“Frederick Douglass famously said ‘If there is no struggle, there is no progress,’ and today’s dedication of the Frederick Douglass Memorial reflects the monumental effort undertaken to build a lasting legacy to a great American hero in the middle of a bustling intersection,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “We hope that New Yorkers will gaze upon this stunning memorial … and be inspired by the great civil rights leader.”
“One of my favorite quotes from Frederick Douglass is, ‘It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men,’” said Morris. “This statue allows young kids who might not know who he is to ask ‘who is this man?’ and an adult can tell them this is one of America’s greatest heroes, and his experience will be a source of inspiration for our children.”
The memorial was designed by Algernon Miller and Gabriel Koren, the winners of the design competition for the Frederick Douglass circle hosted by the Central Park Conservancy in 2003.
It consists of a large circle, a fountain, and an 8-foot bronze sculpture of Frederick Douglass by Koren that was inspired by 19th century photographs. Patterns on the granite seating, the ground paving, and the bronze perimeter fence are based on traditional African-American motifs. There is also a bronze water wall that depicts the Big Dipper constellation that guided slaves to freedom on the “underground railroad,” a network taken by slaves to escape to free states and Canada.
“The Frederick Douglass sculpture by Gabriel Koren and ornamented fountain by Algernon Miller together offer a dynamic interpretation of an extraordinary historic figure,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin.
The intersection of West 110th Street and Eighth Avenue, also Frederick Douglass Boulevard, was named after Douglass in 1950.
“Let us use the dedication of this memorial to renew our commitment to the defense of the principles of justice and equality for all,” said Manhanttan Borough President Scott Stringer. “We are a better society, city, and nation because of Frederick Douglass, his struggles and his strength.”
