Celebrate the Legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois in His Hometown

Mark your calendar for a historic moment in Great Barrington! On Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM, a life-size bronze sculpture of W.E.B. Du Bois will be unveiled in front of the Mason Public Library on Main Street—right in the heart of the town where he was born and raised. This free public event will be the highlight of a weekend-long celebration honoring Du Bois's profound impact as a civil rights leader, scholar, and co-founder of the NAACP.

The sculpture, a powerful tribute created by renowned artist Richard Blake, will sit on a curving marble bench in a beautifully redesigned library plaza. With renovated steps and added seating, the space is designed to be welcoming to all—a place to reflect on Du Bois’s enduring legacy and continue the conversation he started more than a century ago. “This sculpture isn’t just a monument — it’s a space for justice, remembrance, and stewardship,” says Ari Zorn, co-chair of the W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project.

The unveiling is just the beginning. The weekend will feature special programming by partners like Chesterwood and the Du Bois Forum Roundtable at Jacob’s Pillow, offering visitors a rich and meaningful experience. Brought to life by a grassroots coalition of local businesses, donors, and community organizations, this project is a heartfelt gift to the Town of Great Barrington and a long-overdue homecoming for one of its most influential sons.

For up-to-date information and parking suggestions, visit Facebook https://www.facebook.com/duboi...