In 2017, the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH) established a successful tradition of hosting an annual public reading of Frederick Douglass’s famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” in communities around the state.  The goal of this reading is to create dialogue on the meaning of the July 4th holiday, what it meant to the enslaved people then, and what it means to us today. Over the ensuing years the event has grown, spreading to 16 communities across the state.

On Saturday, June 29 at 12 PM Dover Public Library will be hosting Dover's Frederick Douglass Community Read. The reading will take place on the library's lawn. In case of rain, it will be moved to the Lecture Hall. 

The reading starts at noon, but those who have signed up to read, are asked to arrive no later than 11:50 to get lined up.

If you are interested in being a reader, please visit tinyurl.com/DoverFDRead to sign up.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Susan at s.dunker@dover.nh.gov