By Jennifer L. Warren
NEWBURGH – Two iconic facets of Newburgh history collided on Sunday, August 11, when the Annual Frederick Douglass Day in Newburgh was hosted at the City’s Washington’s Headquarters.
Inside this 84 Liberty Street landmark, historical site, surrounded by a sharp, colorful image of our country’s first President, Washington, professional actor, G. Oliver King, clad in distinct attire of the 19th Century time period, could be seen taking on the persona of Douglass. Poised and immersed in the iconic leader of the abolitionist movement, educator, writer and speaker’s being-essence, King deftly delivered Douglass’ riveting, infamous speech centering upon the ratification of the 15th Amendment, granting black men the right to vote. Originally given on the same exact date (August 11) of 1870, less than a mile from the Headquarters’ venue, the transformative words, carried deep potency 156 years later. Further, similar to what happened in the event’s previous four years, the occasion created priceless unity…