Archive — The Du Bois Freedom Center

WELCOME!

Thank You for Joining us for a Community Dedication and Celebration of Permanent Interactive Storytelling Kiosk Honoring the Life and Legacy of

ELIZABETH FREEMAN

TODAY’S PROGRAM

Thank you for joining us to celebrate the instalation of this permanent interactive storyte ling kiosk honoring the life and legacy of Elizabeth Freeman, the first enslaved African American woman to win her freedom under the new Massachusetts Constitution.

The kiosk has a permanent home, standing here in front of Great Barrington Town Hall on Main Street, where residents and visitors alike can learn the remarkable story of how Elizabeth Freeman won her freedom in a court of law in 1781 — a case that paved the way for the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts. Fittingly, Great Barrington Town Hall is located on the site of the courthouse where Elizabeth Freeman’s case was heard.

Opening by Today’s Emcee
Damion Scott, Du Bois Freedom Center Fundraising and Events Coordinator and Ph.D. student in Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts

Welcome Remarks
Dr. John Lloyd, Interim Executive Director of Du Bois Freedom Center

Proclamation
Liz Hartsgrove, Great Barrington Town Manager

Remarks
State Representative Leigh Davis, 3rd Berkshire District

Unveiling of the Elizabeth Freeman Kiosk
Dr. John Lloyd
Liz Hartsgrove, Great Barrington Town Manager

Remarks
Dr. Mary K. Grant, President, Massachusetts Colege of Art and Design

Project History & Acknowledgements
Marcus Smith, Deputy Director of the Du Bois Freedom Center

Artists Discussion
Moderated by Marcus Smith, Professor Irena Roman, Massachusetts Colege of Art and Design, and two of her students whose work is featured on the kiosk, Emma “Sunny” Sunnerberg and Abby Glover, talk about the Kiosk project and the impact Elizabeth Freeman’s story had on their work.

Remarks from Institutional & Community Leaders
• Chancellor Javier Reyes, UMass Amherst
• State Senator Paul Mark
• Kate Maguire, Artistic Director & CEO, Berkshire Theatre Group
• Livy Scott, Curatorial Felow, The Trustees (Ashley House)

Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements
Dr. John D. Lloyd

“At the Du Bois Freedom Center, we carry Dr. Du Bois's belief that history and education build a just society. Elizabeth Freeman changed the world right here, and this kiosk, created by students at MassArt and UMass, gives her courage and legacy a permanent home, inspiring the next generation to know, share, and carry history forward”

~Dr. John Lloyd,
Interim Executive Director,
Du Bois Freedom Center

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

A LANDMARK PROJECT

This project was co-designed with The University of Massachusetts, Amherst and their W.E.B. Du Bois Center and students from their W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies and Public History Program and features two original artworks portraying Elizabeth Freeman created by students from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) and its Center for Art and Community Partnerships (CACP).

These two works are a part of a unique collaboration with the Du Bois Freedom Center for the exhibit Elizabeth Freeman-Reimagined, showcasing student-created portraits and scenes that re-envision Elizabeth Freeman beyond her single historic portrait, from the courtroom where she won her freedom to the journey that defined her legacy.

This student-led project celebrates and honors the power and role of public art in storytelling, reflects on Elizabeth Freeman's remarkable life and story, and considers what her courage means for our understanding of liberty and equality in America today.

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

~Kobie Christie, MassArt

“Working on the Elizabeth Freeman project became a turning point in my artistic journey. Her story made me slow down and really sit with what it means to illustrate someone’s lived experience. I found myself questioning how I show strength, vulnerability, and humanity through my work, and whether I was ready to carry a story with that much weight. There were moments where I doubted myself and worried about getting it right, but those moments pushed me to grow. This project taught me that illustration can be an act of empathy, and it helped me understand the kind of artist I want to become, someone who approaches every narrative with honesty, intention, and care. Looking ahead, I feel hopeful about the work I will create and the stories I will have the chance to honor in the future.”

~Natalie Morris, MassArt

“While working on this project with The Du Bois Freedom Center, I found myself reflectingon the power we have as illustrators...we are given the unique opportunity to visually reframe narratives,and create accessible ways to share these narratives with others. It was an incredible and humbling honor to create artworks for Elizabeth Freeman: Reimagined! , with the ability to use illustration to tell her story with authenticity, respect, and beauty as a reflection of her power.”

~Emma Levine, MassArt

“Imagery has the ability to shape, reframe, and record history. Working with The Du Bois Freedom Center on this project demonstrates how art can be used to celebrate those whose impact is felt, but not often seen. Our work recognizes Freeman for the powerful and brave figure she was, standing up for herself and others despite endless adversity.”

ABOUT THE DU BOIS FREEDOM CENTER

The mission of the W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy (DFC) is to educate the public about the life and legacy of civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois and the rich African American heritage of the Berkshires.

Located at the former Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Great Barrington, where he was born and raised, this vibrant center of Black thought and remembrance constitutes the first museum and living memorial in North America dedicated to Du Bois’ life and legacy.

At DFC, we are building more than a memorial — the Du Bois Freedom Center is a living space for reflection, scholarship, and cultural exchange. Together with our community, we are establishing the premier institution advancing Du Bois' vision and connecting Great Barrington to national and global conversations on democracy, freedom, and equity. We invite you to join us!