Gather on the historic lawn at Rokeby Museum on Tuesday, July 5th for a public reading of Douglass's famous speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" delivered on this day, 170 years ago, in Rochester, NY. Community members are asked to join and read a section of the speech. Community discussion to follow the reading on the legacy of the speech.

Event opens with singing by Dr. François Clemmons. Clemmons is an author, actor, activist and Grammy Award-winning singer. He is known widely for his role on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" and served as the Alexander Twightlight Artist in Residence and Director of the Martin Luther King Spiritual Choir at Middlebury College.

FREE EVENT. Rain or shine. No sign-up in advance needed, and Rokeby will provide sections of speech to readers.

Sep 23, 2024, 4:15 to 6:30 PM

Sep 23, 2024, 7 to 8 PM

Sep 29, 2024, 4:30 to 6 PM