Visitor Center at Cedar Hill

The Visitor Center at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site provides an introduction to the life of Frederick Douglass, and the site of his home in Anacostia. Visitors begin their tour by viewing a 17 minute film on Douglass' life, and by viewing exhibits that present many of his important accomplishments. The Visitor Center Shop sells books about Douglass and the reforms with which he was associated, including contemporary works on others who have worked for the cause of African Americans and a just society.

The statue of Douglass in the Visitor Center stands before a wall covered with quotes from his many speeches and publications. The Visitor Center exhibits include a walking stick that belonged to President Lincoln, (gifted to Douglass by Mary Todd Lincoln after Lincoln was assassinated), Douglass' death mask, photographs of his family, and others of his cherished possessions. From the Visitor Center uniformed Park Rangers lead tours up the hill to Douglass home, a 21 room mansion that has been preserved with 90% of its original furnishings.