Independence Day Public Reading and Discussion (in collaboration with West Stockbridge Historical Society)
July 4, 11am
In 2025, with support from Mass Humanities under its Reading Frederick Douglass initiative, TurnPark Art Space partnered with the West Stockbridge Historical Society and the Du Bois Freedom Center to present a free Independence Day reading and discussion of Frederick Douglass’s seminal address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
Following this successful collaboration, TurnPark and the WHS have decided to establish a new tradition: celebrating the Fourth of July every year with a public reading of significant speeches or documents from American history.
The selected text for this year will be announced soon.
The Fourth of July reading let us gather not just to celebrate, but to reflect, learn, and rededicate ourselves to the ideals of liberty and freedom for all. Through this shared experience, we aim to increase awareness of our nation's complex history, provoke thoughtful discussion within our community, and inspire continued action towards a more just and equitable future.