Theatre To Commemorate 1864 Visit To Newtown By Famed Abolitionist

NEWTOWN, PA – On February 4, 1864, famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass visited Newtown and spoke at Newtown Hall, now known as the historic Newtown Theatre.

On February 4, 2025 – exactly 161 years later – the theatre will commemorate the visit by welcoming nationally acclaimed Frederick Douglass impersonator Darius Wallace to the stage to deliver “Frederick Douglass! The Lion of Freedom,” a one-man show about the life of America’s greatest abolitionist.

The 7:30 p.m. show begins with Wallace talking about himself and his own journey out of the streets and his childhood struggle with reading. Inspired by his father to read the life stories of great men like Frederick Douglass, his life was transformed. As the show progresses, Wallace transforms into Frederick Douglass.

The show is a journey through Frederick’s life growing up as a slave on the plantation, until the moment he becomes free. Frederick’s freedom began with learning how to read, and he was fascinated with the power of the written and spoken word. The audience will witness Wallace transform into several different characters of influence on Douglass’s life through song, speeches, monologue and poetry. The show ends where it began, with Wallace transforming back into himself.

General admission tickets for this special event are available at TheNewtownTheatre.com for $32 per person or $27 for theatre members. Prior to the event, a limited number of tickets are available for a 6 to 7 p.m. cocktail hour at the historic Court Inn, 105 Court Street.

Tickets for the cocktail hour/lecture combo are $60 and include VIP seating at the theatre. All proceeds from the cocktail hour benefit the Newtown Historic Association.

Douglass traveled widely through the northern states during the Civil War, encouraging support for the war effort and for President Lincoln, and preparing his audiences for the task of reuniting the nation after the war was over. He came to Bucks County at the invitation of Mahlon B. Linton of Newtown, one of the county’s leading abolitionists, who had often hosted anti-slavery activists when they visited the area.

While in Newtown in 1864, Douglass spoke to a large crowd at length about the re-construction of the Union. An admission fee of 15 cents was charged, and the receipts amounted to upwards of $46. Proceeds went to the Freedmen’s Association, a group organized to provide relief for newly freed slaves.

For the latest news about the theatre visit TheNewtownTheatre.com .