The Lost History of Frederick Douglass in Cumberland & Allegany County

Program Type:

Authors & Book Groups, History & Genealogy

Age Group:

Tweens and Teens (12-17), Adult (18+)
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.

Program Description

Event Details

This event will also be streamed live to YouTube. Registration for in-person at this link. Please note seating is limited. 

Join local history enthusiasts for a presentation detailing a previously unknown high-profile visit Dr. Douglass made to Cumberland, Maryland, arriving by train, escorted through town by a large procession and speaking at the old fairgrounds in company of local AME pastors, politicians and community leaders.

Douglassonian historians John Muller and Justin McNeil will detail the visits of Frederick Douglass to Cumberland and Frostburg, as well as share insights into his relationship with Cumberland-based Governor Lloyd Lowndes, as well as other political and community leaders in Allegany County. 

Following the presentation will be a Q&A.

** PRESENTERS **

John Muller, author of Frederick Douglass in Washington, D.C.: The Lion of Anacostia (2012) and Mark Twain in Washington, D.C.: The Adventures of a Capital Correspondent (2013), has presented widely throughout the DC-Baltimore metropolitan area at venues including the Library of Congress, Politics and Prose Bookstore, Newseum, American Library in Paris, Enoch Pratt Library, DC Public Library, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site and local universities. Muller is a frequent guest on Washington, D.C. radio stations and has been cited by the Washington Post, Washington City Paper, Cumberland Times-News and other publications for his local history research and subject matter expertise. He has been featured on C-SPAN’s BookTV and C-SPAN’s American History TV, broadcast airwaves of NBC4 (Washington), WDVM (Hagerstown) and radio stations WPFW (DC), WAMU (DC), WYPR (Baltimore), WEAA (Baltimore) and Delmarva Public Radio (Eastern Shore). For the past decade Muller has contributed hundreds of articles to local and national print and online news sources, including the Washington Informer. In 2019 Muller presented on the history of Frederick Douglass throughout Western Maryland, including the Washington County Free Library and Frostburg State University.

Justin McNeil, an IT professional who has serviced government agencies, nonprofits, corporations, financial and banking institutions and small-businesses within the DC-Baltimore metropolitan area, Western Maryland and Potomac Highlands for the last decade, is a doting husband and father of 3, ADOS historian, essayist and playwright. McNeil has been featured in the pages of the Washington Post, contributed columns to the Washington Informer and been interviewed on News Channel 8 (Washington, D.C.), WBAL (Baltimore) and WPFW (Washington), WEAA (Baltimore) and ABC 47 (Maryland’s Eastern Shore). McNeil attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Muller and McNeil are co-founders of Lost History Associates and are at work on forthcoming publications on Frederick Douglass in several specific regions in the Mid-Atlantic area.

For more information on Lost History Associates, visit: www.losthistoryusa.com

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the Programming Department at 301-777-1200.

Photo Disclaimer

Allegany County Library System may be taking photos at library sponsored programs.  Your participation in the program signifies your permission for us to use any photos that we take of you.  Please speak to a librarian now if you would prefer that your photo not be taken.  

Please Observe Social Distancing Guidelines for Events

Masks are encouraged inside the libraries for visitors over the age of two.  Families are asked to observe a distance of 6 feet from other families, children must stay with their families.

Masks are encouraged when selecting books and retrieving crafting kits from library staff at outdoor events.   

We are using guidelines from the CDC, State of Maryland, and Allegany County Health Department. Even as we follow these guidelines, as a public space and service we cannot guarantee a germ-free environment. Attending an event is your decision based on the needs of you and your family. For patrons not comfortable attending an event, we will be offering virtual programs.