A Great Barrington Memorial to W.E.B. Du Bois
W. E. B. Du Bois (1868-1963), born and educated in Great Barrington, was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard achieving world fame as a sociologist, historian, and founder of the NAACP. A prolific author and advocate for the full integration of Blacks into American society, his collection of essays, The Souls of Black Folk, is a seminal work in African American literature.
Great Barrington, located in one of the most progressive anti-slavery regions in the country, was a leader in public education. Shortly after DuBois’ birth, the town voted to establish Searles High School from which Du Bois graduated in 1884. Members of the Congregational Church, next door to the Mason Library, funded his college tuition.
“I believe in Liberty for all men: the space to stretch their arms and their souls, the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine, and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of beauty and love.” —W.E.B. Du Bois
Our independent group of local citizens aims to celebrate Great Barrington’s most famous native son by erecting a statue of him in front of the Mason Public Library.
The front of the library is a popular gathering place on weekends, where visitors browse among used books for sale. We think it can be more—a community hub, where children can sit and read and audiences gather for performances. We want to repair the library steps, add curved marble benches for seating, and welcome visitors with a statue of W.E.B. Du Bois at the center of the action.
In August of 2023, Richard Blake, noted sculptor and a recipient of the National Sculpture Society’s “Medal of Honor” for his contribution to American sculpture, was selected to create the Du Bois stature. He recently completed a statue of Frederick Douglass for Abolition Park in New Bedford, MA.
“My public sculptures commemorate social activism and those who have contributed or fought for social justice,” Blake says. “I want to shed light on often overlooked American heroes of color.” To learn more Richard Blake and his work, visit his website.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project is working under the auspices of The Non-Profit Center of the Berkshires. We are supported by Great Barrington’s Library Trustees, the Friends of the Library, the W.E.B. Du Bois Legacy Committee, and the Town’s Select Board. Help us meet our goal of $375,000 to create the monument and promote the legacy of Du Bois to our community and its children. Make your donation here.
A Great Barrington Memorial to W.E.B. Du Bois
A Great Barrington Memorial
to W.E.B. Du Bois
W. E. B. Du Bois (1868-1963), born and educated in Great Barrington, was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard achieving world fame as a sociologist, historian, and founder of the NAACP. A prolific author and advocate for the full integration of Blacks into American society, his collection of essays, The Souls of Black Folk, is a seminal work in African American literature.
Great Barrington, located in one of the most progressive anti-slavery regions in the country, was a leader in public education. Shortly after DuBois’ birth, the town voted to establish Searles High School from which Du Bois graduated in 1884. Members of the Congregational Church, next door to the Mason Library, funded his college tuition.
“I believe in Liberty for all men: the space to stretch their arms and their souls, the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine, and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of beauty and love.” —W.E.B. Du Bois
Our independent group of local citizens aims to celebrate Great Barrington’s most famous native son by erecting a statue of W.E.B. Du Bois in front of the Mason Public Library.
The front of the library is a popular gathering place on weekends, where visitors browse among used books for sale. We think it can be more—a community hub, where children can sit and read and audiences gather for performances. We want to repair the library steps, add curved stone benches for seating, and welcome visitors with a statue of W.E.B. Du Bois at the center of the action.
In August of 2023, Richard Blake, noted sculptor and a recipient of the National Sculpture Society’s “Medal of Honor” for his contribution to American sculpture, was selected to create the Du Bois stature. He recently completed a statue of Frederick Douglass for Abolition Park in New Bedford, MA.
“My public sculptures commemorate social activism and those who have contributed or fought for social justice,” Blake says. “I want to shed light on often overlooked American heroes of color.” To learn more Richard Blake and his work, visit his website.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project is working under the auspices of The Non-Profit Center of the Berkshires. We are supported by Great Barrington’s Library Trustees, the Friends of the Library, the W.E.B. Du Bois Legacy Committee, and the Town’s Select Board. Help us meet our goal of $375,000 to create the monument and promote the legacy of Du Bois to our community and its children. Make your donation here.