Congressman Harris Visits Wye House, Childhood Home of Frederick Douglass

WASHINGTON, DC: On September 21, Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01) visited Wye House, the historic plantation house in Talbot County where abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass spent part of his childhood. Born into slavery, Frederick Douglass spent part of his childhood on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, before escaping to freedom in 1838.

Dr. Mark Leone, an archaeologist and professor of Anthropology at the University of Maryland, led a recent excavation at Wye House. Dr. Leone toured the property with Congressman Harris and shared the findings of the excavation. Congressman Harris and Dr. Leone issued the following statements after the tour:

“It is a privilege to explore the rich history of Frederick Douglass and the other enslaved peoples of Wye House, and it is truly remarkable to see firsthand the origins of modern African American heritage and culture. Frederick Douglass’ work stretched far beyond the fight for legal freedom, into the equally important fight for social and cultural equality. The research conducted by Dr. Leone and his students at Wye House will allow Marylanders more access to the impressive history of Frederick Douglass and the resounding impact his work has had on modern American culture.”

--Congressman Andy Harris

“Wye House is important to Frederick Douglass, to Talbot County, to Maryland, and to all of its descendants. Our commitment has been to discovering African American heritage through archaeology. [Our] discoveries show us the creative culture that Frederick Douglass knew and fought to free. The archaeology shows us the community that produced him and his values. Thus, preserving it during his bicentenary is guaranteeing American freedom.”

--Dr. Mark Leone

Earlier this year, Congressman Harris and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At large) introduced H.R. 2989, the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act. The legislation will establish a commission to study and recommend to Congress activities that are fitting to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ birth.