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Honoring Abolitionists: Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass Statues Unveiled at Maryland State House

by peter
written by peter

Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass Honored with Statues at Maryland State House

Historical Context

In November 1864, the Maryland State House witnessed a pivotal moment when lawmakers ratified a new constitution abolishing slavery. Over 150 years later, the state capitol unveiled bronze statues of two renowned abolitionists: Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass.

Harriet Tubman: The Conductor of the Underground Railroad

Born into slavery in Maryland in 1820, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in Philadelphia in 1849. Undeterred by the risks, she made multiple trips back to Maryland, guiding around 70 enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad.

Frederick Douglass: The Orator and Abolitionist

Frederick Douglass, born in 1818 on Maryland’s eastern shore, fled to the North in 1838. He became a powerful orator for abolition, launched an anti-slavery newspaper, and wrote an autobiography that greatly influenced the abolitionist movement.

The Significance of the Statues

The statues of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass are installed in the Old House Chamber of the Maryland State House, the same room where slavery was abolished. They depict Tubman and Douglass as they might have appeared on that momentous day.

The statues serve as a reminder that the struggle for justice and equality is ongoing. They challenge the “pro-Southern flavor” of the State House and the lingering presence of controversial markers honoring Confederate soldiers.

The Removal of the Roger B. Taney Statue

In 2017, the statue of Roger B. Taney, who wrote the infamous Dred Scott decision denying African Americans citizenship, was removed from the State House grounds. However, other controversial markers remain, including a plaque commemorating both Union and Confederate soldiers in the Civil War.

The Legacy of Abolitionism

The statues of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass are not merely historical artifacts. They represent the ongoing fight against oppression and the power of individuals to make a difference.

The Importance of Public Art

The new statues at the Maryland State House serve as a powerful form of public art. They educate the public about the history of abolitionism, inspire activism, and promote social justice and equality.

The Sculptor’s Perspective

Ivan Schwartz, the sculptor who created the statues, believes that “it does begin to open a room with a different view.” The statues challenge the traditional narratives of Maryland history and encourage a more inclusive and accurate understanding of the past.

The Future of the State House

The unveiling of the Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass statues marks a turning point for the Maryland State House. It is a step towards recognizing the contributions of abolitionists and promoting a more just and equitable society.

The statues serve as a reminder that the fight for freedom and equality is never truly over. They inspire us to continue the work of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass and to strive for a better future for all.

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Ulysses S. Grant: From Slaveholder to Abolitionist

by peter
written by peter

Ulysses S. Grant’s Complex Relationship with Slavery

Early Life and Beliefs

Ulysses S. Grant, a future Union general during the Civil War, grew up in an antislavery household. However, when he married Julia Dent Grant in 1848, he entered a family that owned slaves. Initially, Grant did not publicly criticize slavery and even benefited from it financially.

White Haven and Enslaved Labor

From 1854 to 1858, Grant worked as a farmer at White Haven, his father-in-law’s estate in Missouri. Enslaved laborers played a crucial role in his daily life, tending fields, cutting wood, and building his house. Mary Robinson, an enslaved cook, was especially valued for her culinary skills.

The Civil War and Evolving Views

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Grant was not an abolitionist. However, as he witnessed the horrors of slavery firsthand, his views began to change. By August 1863, he declared that slavery was “already dead and cannot be resurrected.” He also became a strong advocate for the recruitment of Black soldiers, recognizing their potential to weaken the Confederacy and strengthen the Union.

Julia Dent Grant and Enslaved Individuals

Julia Dent Grant owned four enslaved individuals, including Jule, who served as her nurse and maid for over three decades. Jule traveled with Julia throughout the war and was a familiar presence in Union camps. Despite the close relationship between Jule and the Grant family, she seized an opportunity to escape to freedom in 1864.

Emancipation and Manumission

The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 did not immediately free all enslaved people in Missouri, as the state was not part of the Confederacy. Julia Dent Grant believed her enslaved individuals were freed by the proclamation, but this was inaccurate. In 1859, Grant freed an enslaved laborer named William Jones, but the reasons for this act remain unclear.

Social and Legal Context of Slavery in Missouri

Slavery in Missouri was extremely brutal and repressive. Enslaved people faced harsh punishments for even minor transgressions and were denied basic rights. The status of free Black people was only marginally higher than that of the enslaved, and they faced discrimination and legal restrictions.

The Dred Scott Case and Its Impact

The infamous Dred Scott v. Sandford decision in 1857 further undermined the rights of free Black people in Missouri. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney argued that Black people, whether free or enslaved, could not be citizens under the Constitution. This ruling heightened tensions and contributed to the growing divide between the North and South.

Grant’s Transformation and Legacy

Despite his earlier involvement with slavery, Ulysses S. Grant emerged as a leading figure in the fight against the institution. He believed that the enlistment of Black soldiers would strengthen the Union and weaken the Confederacy. Grant’s transformation from a slaveholder to an advocate for abolition reflects the complex and evolving nature of American society during the Civil War era.

Visit the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site

To learn more about Ulysses S. Grant’s relationship with slavery, visit the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site at White Haven in St. Louis. The site preserves the estate where Grant and his family lived and worked, providing a unique glimpse into the social and historical context of slavery in the United States.

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Unveiling the Earliest-Known Photograph of a U.S. President: John Quincy Adams

by peter
written by peter

The Earliest-Known Photograph of a U.S. President: John Quincy Adams

A Historical Daguerreotype

In 2018, the National Portrait Gallery unveiled the oldest known photograph of a U.S. president, an 1843 daguerreotype of John Quincy Adams. This remarkable image captures a pivotal moment in both photography and American history.

Acquisition and Significance

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery acquired the March 1843 daguerreotype of President John Quincy Adams for its permanent collection. This invaluable document showcases a significant chapter in the history of photography and American politics.

John Quincy Adams: Statesman and Abolitionist

More than a decade after his presidency, Adams sat for this portrait while serving as a Massachusetts congressman. Amidst the escalating tensions leading up to the Civil War, Adams used his platform to wage a solitary battle against the institution of slavery.

The Daguerreotype Process

Photography was a relatively new medium when Adams had his portrait taken. The daguerreotype process, which exposed images on silver-coated plates, was on the cutting edge of technology for its time. Similar to President Barack Obama’s 3D-printed portrait in 2014, Adams’ daguerreotype represented the latest advancements in image-making.

Horace Everett: Recipient and Kinsman

Adams gifted the March 1843 daguerreotype to his friend and ally in Congress, Vermont Representative Horace Everett. On the paper backing, Adams inscribed a note acknowledging Everett as his “kinsman.” The photograph remained in Everett’s family for generations.

Rediscovery and Significance

In the 1990s, a great-great-grandson of Everett rediscovered the image. Through online research, he realized the significance of this family heirloom. The daguerreotype confirmed Adams’ pioneering role in the history of presidential photography.

John Quincy Adams and William Henry Harrison

While this photograph is the oldest surviving image of a U.S. president, it was not the first photo ever taken of a commander-in-chief. That honor belongs to President William Henry Harrison, whose daguerreotype was taken at the start of his brief term in office. However, only an 1850 copy of that daguerreotype exists today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Auction and Estimated Value

The John Quincy Adams daguerreotype was auctioned alongside other notable images from the 19th and 20th centuries. Sotheby’s estimated its value at $150,000 to $250,000. The proceeds were earmarked for the National Portrait Gallery’s acquisition fund.

The Americans: Robert Frank’s Iconic Work

Among the other auctioned images was a signed print of photographer Robert Frank’s iconic shot of a segregated New Orleans trolley. This image served as the cover for his influential 1958 book, “The Americans.” Frank’s work captured the complexities of American society, highlighting issues of race and inequality.

Legacy and Impact

The daguerreotype of John Quincy Adams remains an enduring symbol of his dedication to abolishing slavery and his pioneering spirit in embracing new technologies. It offers a glimpse into the early days of photography and the evolving role of presidents in shaping American history.

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