Frederick Douglass/Haiti Pavilion Memorial Plaque Reinstallation

On January 2, 1893 Frederick Douglass, world famous abolitionist, activist, author, and orator gave a speech at the Haitian Pavilion at the World’s Columbia Exposition in Chicago’s Jackson Park.  Douglass reminded all that Haiti, on January 2, 1804 became only the second independent nation in North America, the first Black republic in the world, and the first nation to permanently ban slavery.  He offered Haiti as an inspiration for Black citizens in their fight for full freedom and respect. “There is no Negro problem….The problem is whether the American people have honesty enough, loyalty enough, honor enough, patriotism enough to live up to their own Constitution.” He was unaware that the first non-Indigenous resident of Chicago was the Black Haitian Jean Baptiste du Sable.  Haiti, Douglass and du Sable now stand as powerful points in the history of Chicago. 

On May 15, 2009 a memorial plaque was installed in Jackson Park to mark the spot where Douglass gave his speech to open the Haitian pavilion. Barry Rapoport, a teacher from South Shore High school, and a group of students raised awareness of Douglass’ role at the Exposition, petitioned the Chicago Park District and raised the $3,000 to produce and install the plaque.

Due to DuSable Lake Shore Drive reconstruction related to the Obama Presidential Center construction in Jackson Park, the Douglass/Haiti pavilion memorial plaque was removed from its location and placed upside down under a tree.  The Hyde Park Historical Society notified the Park District of the danger to the plaque.  Thanks to quick action by Park District Preservation Architect Michael Fus, the plaque is now in protective custody and awaits reinstallation. 

The Hyde Park Historical Society and the Jackson Park Advisory Council will now work together to develop a plan to reinstall the plaque in a respectful manner.  

Jackson Park Advisory Council’s Historic Bridge Committee 

JPAC has an interest in the park’s historic bridges.  A Historic Bridge Committee met on September 26, 2023. This meeting focused on the Clarence Darrow Bridge and featured a presentation by Tim Samuelson, Chicago Cultural Historian from 2002 until 2021. Tim has a long and fabled history of sharing his knowledge and love of Chicago’s historic architecture with the public.  He has a very special love of the Darrow Bridge.  He spoke about the bridge’s origin, its history, and its future.  Information on future committee meetings will be posted on The Jackson Park Advisory Council website.