New art installation in Rochester pays tribute to Anna Murray Douglass

Rochester, N.Y. – A new art installation in Rochester honors the wife of abolitionist icon Frederick Douglass.

A likeness of Anna Murray Douglass was installed outside the site of Douglass’ first home on Alexander Street in Rochester Friday afternoon.

The unveiling coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in the U.S.

The artwork was made possible through the work of local artist Shawn Dunwoody, Hinda Mandell of RIT and Scott Moore of Edison Career and Technology High School.

Advocates say while much is known about Frederick Douglass, not as much attention is given to Anna. They say they hope this new installation changes that.

“There really isn’t representation of her in the public sphere,” said Mandell. “She was fundamental to having Frederick Douglass live his life and become one of the most prolific men in American history. And so we just began talking and collaborating, and RIT provided the funding to create what we think is three first three-dimensional representation of Anna Murray Douglass as an art marker in the public sphere.”

It took about three years for the project to come to fruition. Mandell says she hopes the artwork becomes part of a walking tour focusing on Rochester’s history.