Elizabeth Freeman Monument
Unveiling Celebration Weekend 
August 19, 20 & 21, 2022
Sheffield celebrated the 241st Anniversary of Elizabeth Freeman's historic court case leading to the abolishment of slavery in Massachusetts with a series of events the weekend of August 19-21, 2022.  The culmination of the weekend was the unveiling of a bronze statue of Freeman that will stand on the Sheffield Green. 
Schedule of Events
Friday, August 19
"Elizabeth Freeman & the
Telling ​of Black Stories"
Dewey Hall, 4:00pm
Panel discussion hosted by  W.E.B. Du Bois
Center for Freedom and Democracy
Saturday, August 20
 "Meet Elizabeth Freeman" 
First Congregational Church of Sheffield, 7:00pm
Play by Teresa Miller, starring Wanda Houston.
Sunday, August 21
"Walk to Freedom"
Departed from the Ashley House at 9:30am 
Unveiling Ceremony
Sheffield Green near the Old Stone Store, 12:00pm
​
​The monument and celebration were a collaboration between The Sheffield Historical Society, The First Congregational Church of Sheffield, UCC and the office of State Representative Wm. Smitty Pignatelli. 
Who was Elizabeth Freeman?
The play "Meet Elizabeth Freeman" gives a sketch of Freeman's life, but you may want to learn more about her in depth. Some of the details of her story vary according to the telling, but we think this article from the Berkshire Museum tells it well. 

"Meet Elizabeth Freeman" Play

This play by Teresa Miller was originally staged by the Museum of the American Revolution. Our performance on Saturday, August 20th at 7:00pm starred Wanda Houston. 

Walk to Freedom

The "Walk to Freedom" is an twelve-year tradition where participants follow the steps that Elizabeth took from the home of her enslaver, the Ashley House, to the office of Theodore Sedgwick on the Sheffield Green to hire him as the lawyer to take her emancipation case to court. 

Statue Unveiling

The monument unveiling ceremony will be on Sunday, August 21 at noon. 
The public is invited to join us as we celebrate Elizabeth Freeman with a bronze statue. 
The unveiling is rain or shine. Gather on the Green around First Congregational Church of Sheffield and the Old Stone Store.
Wanda Houston
Actress
Wanda is a singer & actor who has performed with rock, pop, Motown, and musical theater greats. Her credits include performances on Broadway, on tour and in film. 
Teresa Miller
playwright
Teresa  is an African American Actor/V.O. Actor and Playwright based in Philadelphia, PA. Her inspiration to write is a culmination of the human condition, culture and race.
Brian Hanlon
Sculptor
Classically-trained Master Sculptor, Brian  is one of the most prominent contemporary realism artists of his generation with more than 550 permanent installations.  

We are honored to be able to stage Teresa Miler's "Meet Elizabeth Freeman" which was commissioned by and originally staged at the Museum of the American Revolution. Click the icon to learn more about the play and the museum.


​        Thank you to those who donated to the Monument Fund
The "Elizabeth Freeman Monument Fund" is a fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.  ​