Frederick Douglass: 'He embraced Terre Haute'

Feb. 14—Until recent years, not many people knew of Frederick Douglass' many visits to Terre Haute and his role in desegregating a downtown hotel.

Now, local residents as well as visitors will be able to learn that history through a new monument dedicated to the 19th Century abolitionist and civil rights pioneer.

The "Frederick Douglass in Terre Haute" monument was unveiled Wednesday next to the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Terre Haute as many community members from all walks of life looked on.

The project celebrates the life and contributions of Douglass as well as his relationship with the people and city of Terre Haute; he visited Terre Haute at least 10 times between 1868 to 1888.

Douglass gave numerous speeches in the community and helped raise funds for the Allen Chapel. He helped desegregate the Terre Haute House when he became the first Black man to stay there in 1872.

The monument, created by artist Bill Wolfe, is located on Wabash Avenue near Seventh Street, next to the Hilton Garden Inn and site of the former Terre Haute House.

"There must have been something about Terre Haute that kept bringing Frederick Douglass back," said Crystal Reynolds, the local historian described as the force behind the project.

Based on her extensive research, "He had a good experience here. He had friends both white and black and he embraced Terre Haute," she said.

"I want the people in Terre Haute and others when they come to town ... to know this is our history," Reynolds said. "We have a great history of diversity. Nothing is ever perfect but we were way ahead of the game ... This is a welcoming city."

A plaque on the monument says it acknowledges Douglass' "enduring relationship with the people and city of Terre Haute and celebrates this crucial step in improving race relations that took place on this corner."

Project partners included the Pi Kappa Alpha PIKE fraternity at Indiana State University, the city of Terre Haute and Wabash Valley Community Foundation.

The monument is made from granite, with a bronze medallion bas relief of Douglass and plaques with biographical information and the history of his being the first Black man to stay at the Terre Haute House.

"This notable step forward in civil rights for Black Americans locally was taken decades before other hotels throughout the country eliminated their segregationist customs," a plaque states.

"To me, this monument says a lot about us, about Terre Haute, that we were open minded enough, even back in the late 1800s," to take an important step toward improving race relations, Wolfe said.

When people come and see the monument, "They will know what happened here, too," he said.

Also speaking at the program prior to the unveiling was Mayor Brandon Sakbun and former Mayor Duke Bennett.

Sakbun said Douglass fought for equal justice and equal rights 100 years before the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

Douglass "advocated for equal rights in our community here in Terre Haute," he said.

The monument "will serve as a reminder that we must continue to strive for a community where all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status, deserve equal access and equal opportunity," he said.

Sakbun said he was proud that the first public sculpture to be unveiled during his tenure as mayor was of a Black man and leader, "a man whose work made it possible for me to be here today" and to serve as mayor of Terre Haute.

Sakbun identifies as Black and Asian.

Among those attending the program were Riley Elementary fifth graders, who have learned about Douglass as part of their reading curriculum.

Fifth graders Ayden Haase and Kinley Kannmacher stood beside the monument during its unveiling.

"It felt really good. You're celebrating someone who is part of history," Haase said. It's important to honor Douglass because "he did so much" and advocated for desegregation.

Kannmacher said participating in the unveiling "is an opportunity you won't ever be able to have again."

She studied a lot about Douglass and learned "he was peaceful and he treated everybody in a good way."

Also attending the program was Ben Evea Shelby, 69, who was bused to school as part of desegregation efforts in northern Indiana many years ago. "It was hard," she said. Police were present and angry parents opposed it.

She also recalls the struggles of the Civil Rights era.

It was important for her to attend the tribute to Douglass. "We need to learn to live together," she said.

She also noted that Douglass fought with words — good words to bring people together. "These weren't words to tear down, but to motivate," he said.

As Reynolds emotionally concluded her talk during the indoor portion of the program at a packed Hilton Garden Inn, she said, "Today, as we unveil this one of a kind monument (on Valentine's Day, his chosen birthday), we celebrate the best of Terre Haute. As the esteemed historian David Blight has stated, 'Douglass belongs to all of us.'"

Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or at sue.loughlin@tribstar.com Follow Sue on Twitter @TribStarSue