Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

Rangers guide daily tours of the historic house at scheduled times.
Frederick Douglass spent his life fighting for justice and equality. Born into slavery in 1818, he escaped as a young man and became a leading voice in the abolitionist movement. People everywhere still find inspiration today in his tireless struggle, brilliant words, and inclusive vision of humanity. Douglass's legacy is preserved here at Cedar Hill, where he lived his last 17 years.
Map showing location of park.
Frederick Douglass actor doing a dramatic reading to visitors at Cedar Hill
Celebrate July 4th at Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
Join us at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site for the annual Independence Day reading of one of Frederick Douglass’s most famous speeches “What to the American Slave is the Fourth of July?” It will be dramatically read by longstanding Douglass actor Michael Crutcher whose impression strongly resembles that of the elder Douglass when he resided in Washington, D.C. The program is given on the front porch of the historic Douglass home in Anacostia.
Visitors take photos in front of a historic house
Photo by NPS Photo / Nate Johnson
A tiny stone cabin surrounded by fall foliage
Photo by NPS Photo / Nate Johnson
View of downtown Washington, D.C., including the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol
Photo by NPS Photo / Nate Johnson
A plaster bust of Frederick Douglass
Photo by NPS Photo / Nate Johnson
A park ranger gestures to a group of people outside the Frederick Douglass home.
Photo by NPS / Rachel Hendrix