On Thursday, July 6 at noon, the Baldwin Library will participate in the VT Humanities Council annual tradition of reading aloud Frederick Douglass’s famous Independence Day speech.

“In 1852, Frederick Douglass, one of our nation’s greatest orators and abolitionists, was asked to speak at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In his provocative speech, Douglass said, ‘This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.’ And he asked, ‘Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day?’ Douglass’s speech remains emotionally powerful and thought-provoking more than a century and a half after he gave it.” (see vermonthumanities.org)

Would you join us as a reader and/or a listener? We’ll gather at the gazebo of the Wells River Welcome Center and take turns reading. Copies of the speech will be available. Please reply to this message or call the library at 802-757-2693 if you’d like to participate so that we can accurately plan.

Feb 9, 2025, 10 AM

Feb 12, 2025, 11 AM to 2 PM

Feb 12, 2025, 7 PM