Welcome to the Du Bois Freedom Center for Freedom and Democracy
“Education must not simply teach work—it must teach life.”
~W.E.B. Du Bois
Our Mission
The Du Bois Freedom Center’s mission is to educate the public about the life and legacy of civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois and to celebrate the Berkshires’ rich Black heritage.
Located at the historic Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Great Barrington, MA, where Du Bois was born and raised, this vibrant center of Black thought and remembrance stands as the first museum and living memorial in North America dedicated to his life and legacy.
We stand at historic crossroads, honoring Du Bois’ enduring legacy while shaping the future of public education, scholarship, and social justice.
At The Du Bois Freedom Center, we are building more than a museum—the Center is a living space for reflection, learning, and cultural exchange. Together with our community, we are establishing the Du Bois Freedom Center as 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.
Join DFC for a Full Summer of Inspiring and Thoughtful Events
In this 250th anniversary of the American Experiment, the Du Bois Freedom Center is proud to be partnering with so many community friends, such as Mass College of Art, Norman Rockwell Museum, The Mount, UMass W.E.B. Du Bois Center, The Berkshire Theatre Group... to bring history to life, spark conversation, celebrate the lives and stories that continue to shape us and reflect on what they have to teach us about today.
Visit Us at Our 309 Main Street History Center
Visitor Center Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Come Walk With Us!
Take a Tour and Discover History Beneath Your Feet
Join us for a 60-90 minutes walking tour through historic Great Barrington!
Honoring the life and legacy of W. E. B. Du Bois and Black history in Great Barrington and the Berkshires.
Join our guided summer tour series running from late May through September (every other Saturday), led by Marcus Smith and Damion Scott, Ph.D. students in the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of African American Studies at UMass Amherst. Open to K-12 students, educators, scholars of Du Bois, and local residents alike. Come discover the stories, places, and people that shaped Du Bois and the Berkshires.
Tour stops: Start at 309 Main Street Office → Great Barrington Town Hall → Railroad Street → Clinton A.M.E Zion Church → Rosseter Street → W.E.B. Du Bois Statue → River Walk → Return to 309 Main Street
Dates (Bi-weekly Saturdays):
May 30 · June 13 · June 27 · July 11 · July 25 · August 8 · August 22 · September 5 · September 19
Time: 1PM - 2:30 PM
Pricing: $25 General Adult | $15 Students & Seniors (65+) | Children Under 10 Free
To inquire about an individual or group tour, please email: office@duboisfreedomcenter.org
Du Bois Freedom Center Resident Historian Marcus Smith Honored with the 2026 Mars History Tellers Award
Mars and AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate, Honor Marcus Smith as the 2026 History Tellers Award Winner.
“It was a unanimous decision by our selection committee—Marcus and his work inspired everyone.”
Marcus Smith, DFC’s Resident Historian who puts the “story” in History!
“The W. E. B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy presents a singular opportunity to reclaim and extend in Du Bois’ hometown, the Black intellectual, artistic traditions, and social movements to which he dedicated his life’s work.”
—David Levering Lewis, Pulitzer Prize-winning Du Bois Biographer