Near Cordova in Talbot County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Honoring an American Hero

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, September 2, 2020

1. Honoring an American Hero Marker

Inscription.

Honoring an American Hero. . , Frederick Douglass's self-determination and resolve to be free demonstrated to others how to rise above oppression. His leadership, inclusive vision, and brilliant words continue to inspire us. As America continues to face up to its past, Douglass's demands for equal justice still move us to action., In honor of this great leader, Talbot County is planning the Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe at this site, his Tuckahoe home. Trails will visit the woodlands, fields and banks of Tuckahoe Creek, and the "muddy shores" that called to young Frederick and influenced his destiny., We invite you to explore this landscape and imagine his humble beginnings., The 107-acre park was acquired through Maryland Department of Natural Resources Program Open Space funds and expanded through a generous donation of 40 acres by the George C. and Naomi H. Moore family. Planning is underway for interpretive trails with overlooks and educational signs. Potential park amenities include picnic areas, water access for canoeing and kayaking, a visitor center, and an amphitheater.,

"The Frederick Douglass family believes that everyone is born with the potential to be great. Our great ancestor came from the most challenging conditions, yet he provides a true model for the stated values extolled in America's founding documents. By taking action to improve our communities, we're paying tribute to our esteemed ancestor." , , Kenneth Morris, Great-great-great-grandson. , Co-Founder and President, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives

, [Captions:] , Explore the Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe and experience his homeland. Hear the bird calls, feel the cool water and see the wild arrow arum growing, just as he did. Douglass's roots run deep here, and his spirit lives on through these lands., An advisory group consults with park planners on what amenities are desired and where to locate them on the site. Public meetings allow you to provide your input on plans for the park. Share your dreams for this site., The community celebrated the official park groundbreaking on February 14, 2018, the 200th birthday of Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. Bailey changed his name to Frederick Douglass once he gained his freedom.,

"We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and to the future. To all inspiring motives, to noble deeds which can be gained from the past, we are welcome. But now is the time, the important time." , , Frederick Douglass, Speech in Rochester, New York, July 5, 1852

, Dig Deeper:. Follow what's happening with planning and development of the Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe by visiting www.frederickdouglasspark.org. We invite you to share your dreams for this site.

Frederick Douglass's self-determination and resolve to be free demonstrated to others how to rise above oppression. His leadership, inclusive vision, and brilliant words continue to inspire us. As America continues to face up to its past, Douglass's demands for equal justice still move us to action.

In honor of this great leader, Talbot County is planning the Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe at this site, his Tuckahoe home. Trails will visit the woodlands, fields and banks of Tuckahoe Creek, and the "muddy shores" that called to young Frederick and influenced his destiny.

We invite you to explore this landscape and imagine his humble beginnings.

The 107-acre park was acquired through Maryland Department of Natural Resources Program Open Space funds and expanded through a generous donation of 40 acres by the George C. and Naomi H. Moore family. Planning is underway for interpretive trails with overlooks and educational signs. Potential park amenities include picnic areas, water access for canoeing and kayaking, a visitor center, and an amphitheater.

"The Frederick Douglass family believes that everyone is born with the potential to be great. Our great ancestor came from the most challenging conditions, yet he provides a true model for the stated values extolled in America's
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founding documents. By taking action to improve our communities, we're paying tribute to our esteemed ancestor."
— Kenneth Morris, Great-great-great-grandson.
Co-Founder & President, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives

[Captions:]
Explore the Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe and experience his homeland. Hear the bird calls, feel the cool water and see the wild arrow arum growing, just as he did. Douglass's roots run deep here, and his spirit lives on through these lands.

An advisory group consults with park planners on what amenities are desired and where to locate them on the site. Public meetings allow you to provide your input on plans for the park. Share your dreams for this site.

The community celebrated the official park groundbreaking on February 14, 2018, the 200th birthday of Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. Bailey changed his name to Frederick Douglass once he gained his freedom.

"We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and to the future. To all inspiring motives, to noble deeds which can be gained from the past, we are welcome. But now is the time, the important time."
— Frederick Douglass, Speech in Rochester, New York, July 5, 1852

Dig
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, September 2, 2020

2. Sign at park entrance.
Deeper: Follow what's happening with planning and development of the Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe by visiting www.frederickdouglasspark.org. We invite you to share your dreams for this site.

Erected by Talbot County; State of Maryland; Maryland Heritage Areas Authority; Stories of the Chesapeake; Talbot County Department of Parks & Recreation; Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is February 14, 2018.

Location. 38° 54.637′ N, 75° 57.003′ W. Marker is near Cordova, Maryland, in Talbot County. It can be reached from Lewistown Road (Maryland Route 303) north of Norwich Creek Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cordova MD 21625, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Beloved Tuckahoe Home of Frederick Douglass (within shouting distance of this marker); A Champion for Equality (within shouting distance of this marker); Forging Freedom from Places of Bondage (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick Douglass (approx. half a mile away);

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St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Frederick Douglass (approx. 1.8 miles away); Tuckahoe Roots (approx. 2.6 miles away); Wood Ducks (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cordova.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Frederick Douglass (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2020, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 399 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on September 4, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2020, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.

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