Located in Washington, D.C., this National Historic Site protects the home of author and former slave Frederick Douglass. After Douglass escaped slavery on Maryland's Eastern Shore, he authored his book Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. In the book, he describes the cruelty of slavery and names his former owners. Under the law at the time, escaped slaves could be captured and returned. Douglass fled to Europe, where he was enormously popular.
After two years of speaking engagements, he returned after a group of abolitionists purchased his freedom. He continued speaking engagements. Fees would help him purchase and furnish this home.
