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On February 4, 1864, Frederick Douglass visited Newtown and spoke at Newtown Hall, now known as the Newtown Theatre. On Wednesday, February 4, 2026 – exactly 162 years later – the theatre will welcome nationally acclaimed Frederick Douglass impersonator Darius Wallace to the theatre to deliver “Frederick Douglass: The Self-Made Man & The Work of Rebuilding a Nation.” This is a completely different show than 2025. In this one-man theatrical event, Wallace steps into the voice, passion and moral authority of Frederick Dougalss to deliver his power Self-Made Man speech – an enduring message about resilience, education and self-determination. But this is more than a recitation. The evening expands to include what Douglass spoke about in Newtown in 1864, which was his urgent advocacy for the Freedmen’s Bureau – an institution that provided education, housing, and legal aid to millions of newly freed men and women – and his vision for a nation united by justice and equality.
This performance speaks powerfully to today’s conversations about equity, citizenship, and the responsibility we share in shaping a more just society. It is a stirring reminder that the work of freedom is never finished and that we all have a role in building the future.
Prior to the event, a limited number of tickets are available for a 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. cocktail hour at the historic Half-Moon Inn (Court Inn), 105 Court Street. Wallace will attend the cocktail party as Frederick Douglass.
Combined tickets for the cocktail hour/performance include VIP seating at the Newtown Theatre. All proceeds from the cocktail hour benefit the Newtown Historic Association.
The performance starts at 8:00 p.m. at the Newtown Theatre. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.thenewtowntheatre.com/events/2026/frederick-douglass-returns-newtown-theatre
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
105 Court St, Newtown, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 18940
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