Please Join Us to Celebrate the Installation of The Elizabeth Freeman Kiosk
Saturday, August 22, 2026
3pm
Great Barrington Town Hall
This landmark project was co-designed with The University of Massachusetts, Amherst and their W.E.B. Du Bois Center and features two original art images of 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 and 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. The artwork was created by MassArt students in Professor Irena Roman’s “Professional Illustration for the Community” course, which integrates meaningful nonprofit partnerships into students’ learning experiences,linking creative practice to the public good through projects in public art, education, and storytelling. The full exhibit of works is on view at our 309 Main Street Visitor Center now through October 30.
Join us in celebrating the unveiling of a permanent interactive storytelling kiosk honoring the life and legacy of Elizabeth Freeman, the first enslaved African American woman to win her freedom in Massachusetts.
The kiosk will stand 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 exact site of the courthouse where Elizabeth Freeman’s case was heard.
The Du Bois Freedom Center invites the community, visitors, education, and civic groups to join us on August 22nd as we celebrate and honor the power and role of public art in storytelling, reflect on Elizabeth Freeman's remarkable life and story, and consider what her courage means for our understanding of liberty and equality in America today.
Join us as we welcome dignitaries, historians, and community leaders to commemorate this unique installation, one that will stand as a permanent and vital space to learn, reflect, and be inspired by Elizabeth Freeman's journey for justice.
The Kiosk Unveiling Caps Off a Full Weekend of Celebration Honoring the Life, Story, and Legacy of Elizabeth Freeman
