The Du Bois Freedom Center Partners with MassArt Students to Honor the Life and Legacy of Elizabeth Freeman

The Du Bois Freedom Center to Celebrate the Installation of a Permanent Interactive Storytelling Kiosk on Great Barrington Town Hall Green Honoring the Life and Legacy of Elizabeth Freeman

Great Barrington, MA — The Du Bois Freedom Center (DFC) is pleased to announce their plans for the unveiling of a permanent interactive storytelling kiosk celebrating the life and legacy of Elizabeth Freeman, the first enslaved African American woman to win her freedom under the new Massachusetts Constitution in 1781.

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 and visitors on August 22 at 3 pm at Great Barrington Town Hall as they 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.

This 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.

Following the ceremony, the Du Bois Freedom Center welcomes visitors to their 309 Main Street Visitor Center, located across the street from Town Hall, until 6:00 pm and on Sunday August 23 from 11 am -3 pm to see the full exhibit, Elizabeth Freeman—Reimagined also on view now through October 30.

The Kiosk unveiling caps off a full weekend of celebration throughout the Berkshires honoring the life, story, and legacy of Elizabeth Freeman. The weekend kicks off with two performances, August 20 and 21st, in partnership with Berkshire Theatre Group for 1781: A Staged Reading about Elizabeth Freeman, formerly known as Mum Bett. On Saturday, August 22nd, DFC begins a full day centered on Elizabeth Freeman’s journey by partnering with The Berkshire County Historical Society and Crow Flies Press for The 16th an Annual Elizabeth Freeman Walk to Freedom, a Commemorative Walk in the footsteps of Elizabeth Freeman. The walk begins at 8:30 am. At 10:00 am DFC joins The Ashley Housefor their Annual Elizabeth Freeman Day Celebration. The Day culminates in the Unveiling of the Elizabeth Freeman Kiosk at 3 pm at Great Barrington Town Hall.

The Du Bois Freedom Center welcomes the community, visitors, education and civic groups to join them on August 22nd as they 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.

“At the Du Bois Freedom Center, we carry Dr. Du Bois’s belief that history and education build a just society. Elizabeth Freeman took the steps of her journey that changed the world right here and this kiosk — brought to life through student art — gives the story of her courage and legacy a permanent home. Inspiring the next generation to know and share history is at the heart of all we do. This project from start to finish was student led and student driven both at MassArt and UMass. We are so excited to help foster the next generation of storytellers with this project“

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

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About Elizabeth Freeman

In 1781, an enslaved woman named Elizabeth Freeman walked into a courtroom and changed history. Known as Mum Bett, Freeman became the first enslaved person to successfully sue for her freedom under the Massachusetts Constitution. In the landmark case Brom & Bett v. Ashley, she argued that the Constitution’s declaration that “all men are born free and equal” applied to her. The court ruled in her favor, establishing a legal precedent that contributed to the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts.

About The Du Bois Freedom Center

The Du Bois Freedom Center honors the legacy of civil rights pioneer Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois and celebrates the Berkshires’ rich Black heritage. Located at the historic Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Great Barrington—where Du Bois was born and raised—the Center is the first museum and living memorial in North America dedicated to his life and ideas. As a hub for education, scholarship, and community engagement, the Du Bois Freedom Center is more than a museum—it is a living space for reflection, learning, and cultural exchange. Through exhibitions, programs, and partnerships, DFC connects local history to global conversations on democracy, equity, and freedom, advancing Dr. Du Bois’s vision for a just and educated society.

For more information visit: https://www.duboisfreedomcenter.org/

For information on Elizabeth Freeman-Reimagined visit: https://www.duboisfreedomcenter.org/elizabeth-freeman 

For press inquiries please email: office@duboisfreedomcenter.org