The national touring exhibit, “Frederick Douglass from Slavery to Freedom: the Journey to New York City” will open at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands on Wednesday, February 1. The exhibit will continue through the month of February in recognition of Black History Month. Entrance to the exhibit is included with regular paid museum admission.

The panel exhibition uses images, broadsides and letters to explore the early life of Douglass. Born a slave in Maryland, he made a daring escape to New York City in 1838. Once free, Douglass fought to end slavery and championed civil rights for all Americans. Among the highlights of the exhibit are a broadside entitled “Slave Market of America” from the American Anti-Slavery Society, excerpts and quotes from Douglass’ autobiography, and a letter from Douglass to Hugh Auld, his former slave-owner.

“Original documents like the broadside—a poster of sorts—and hand-written letter from Douglass to Auld are fascinating, and allow everyone the chance to examine these important primary sources up close,” said Michele Nielsen, the museum’s curator of history. “There’s something about looking at the Douglass letter—to see the handwriting of this person—that touches the heart.”

As a young boy, Douglass experienced the horrors of life under slavery in the United States. At age seven, he was sent to Baltimore to live in the house of his new master, Hugh Auld, where he learned to read. The knowledge gained through reading nurtured both a dream of freedom and a feeling of despair at the difficulty of escape. In September 1838, Douglass disguised himself as a free seaman and then traveled to New York City. Though free, Douglass remained a fugitive under the law until friends purchased his liberty. This exhibition explores his life under slavery, in Douglass’ own words, and his escape to freedom.

“This person’s life experience is a part of the American story, a part of our collective history,” said Nielsen. “Not only is this exhibit insightful, helping us to better understand the almost unfathomable horrors of slavery, it also allows us to contemplate the potential of the individual, like Frederick Douglass, to affect change.”

The museum’s Reading Discoveries book discussion group will be discussing Douglass’s autobiography, “A Narrative of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave,” on Wednesday February 8 at 7:30 p.m. “The group reads a wide variety of subjects, including classics like Douglass’s autobiography,” said Jolene Redvale, curator of education. “This book is part of our exhibit on Frederick Douglass, and is a meaningful way to think about the importance of Black history Month. Reading Douglass’s story is a reminder of how much our country has changed and grown over the last 200 years – mostly for the better.”

There are several editions of the book, said Redvale, and any of them is suitable for the discussion. Discussions are open to all. Students of all ages are also encouraged to participate, and may seek credit for doing so from their teachers and instructors.

The national touring exhibition, “Frederick Douglass from Slavery to Freedom: The Journey to New York City,” was developed by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and curated by Susan F. Saidenberg with Abigail Burns. The exhibition materials are drawn primarily from the Gilder Lehrman Collection. The project has been made possible by a grant from the J.P. Morgan Foundation, with the assistance of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati,Ohio, and with additional support from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 5pm. General admission is $8 (adult), $6 (military or senior), $5 (student), and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visitwww.sbcountymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.