Frederick Douglass and the Lynn Abolitionists: A Lecture

Lynn played a central role in the abolitionist movement beginning in the 1830’s.

It was for this reason that Frederick Douglass moved to Lynn — of which Swampscott was then a part — to join in the fight to end slavery; and in the process became internationally known as an abolitionist leader, intellectual author, and escaped slave at-large.

This lecture will cover the rise of the abolitionist movement in Lynn’s Quaker community, Frederick Douglass’ time in Lynn, and the local and international campaigns he and the Lynn Abolitionists waged to fight racism in the North and slavery in the South.

The talk will shed light on national abolitionist leaders’ ties to Lynn including: William Lloyd Garrison, Abby Kelly Foster, Wendell Phillips, Sojourner Truth, the Grimke sisters; and the roles played by Lynn’s Hutchinson Family, George Latimer and noted Lynn leaders James N. Buffum, Alonzo Lewis, Francis and Henry Newhall, and John Bassett Alley.

The lecturer, Julia Greene, is working on an independent history project on Lynn’s abolitionists. Ms. Greene grew up in Lynn and makes the city her home. She is on the Lynn Historical Commission and teaches speech, history and government at North Shore Community College.

Admission is free for museum members and students and $5 for non-members. For more information, please contact Abby Battis, Assistant Director of Lynn Museum at 781-581-6200 or visit the Museum’s website at www.lynnmuseum.org. 

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lynn Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. 

The lecture is Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Lynn Museum, 590 Washington St.