Former slave campaigned for human rights

Can you guess who once lived in this beautiful home? Here are some clues. He was born into slavery in Maryland, escaped when he was 20 and began speaking out against slavery. He published a book about his life in 1845 and had to leave the country for more than a year to avoid being captured and returned to slavery. He came back to the United States and began publishing a newspaper, the North Star. He gave speeches, wrote books and held a variety of jobs over the course of his life, including U.S. marshal for the District of Columbia and U.S. minister to Haiti.

He was Frederick Douglass and he worked very hard during his lifetime to end slavery. He and his family lived here at Cedar Hill from 1877 until his death in 1895. His home is part of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site.

Did you know?

* Frederick Douglass not only fought to end slavery, he also fought for women's rights, including the right to vote.

* Less than 50 yards from Cedar Hill stands the "Growlery," a tiny cabin Douglass used when he wanted to be alone to write.

* During the Civil War, Douglass helped recruit African American men to serve in the Union Army.

Learn more

* Read "Escape from Slavery: The Boyhood of Frederick Douglass in His Own Words," by Frederick Douglass.

* Visit the site online at www.nps.gov/frdo.

* Ask your parents to take you to the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C.

This Learning Link was provided by the National Parks Conservation Assn., an organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and enhancing the National Park System, www.eparks.org.