Valerie Craigwell White, the great great granddaughter of the Rev. Willam Jackson, a famed abolitionist and friend of Frederick Douglass. Submitted photo
Reverend William Jackson, famed abolitionist, friend of Frederick Douglass, and first African-American officer of the US Army, was born on August 18, 1818. On the bicentennial of his birth, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the New Bedford Historical Society are working together to honor his life with a series of events. On Sat., 8/18, at 11 a.m., Valerie Craigwell White, a descendant of Jackson, will offer a public program in the Union Baptist Church, 109 Court St., New Bedford. Ms. White is an Ombudsperson at Lewis & Clark’s Graduate School of Professional Studies. Then on Sunday at 2 p.m., she will offer another look into his life with a slideshow at the National Park visitor center, 33 William St.
Jackson served the Mass. 54th and 55th Volunteer Infantry Regiments as chaplain. Join his great great-granddaughter, Ms. White, who will bring Rev. Jackson and his extended family to life through anecdotes and images in this collaboration between the National Park Service and the New Bedford Historical Society. The public will also be presented with a mayoral proclamation declaring August 18, Rev. William Jackson Day. These activities are part of the National Park Service’s Bicentennial Celebration of the life of Frederick Douglass, in which Douglass, his times, and legacy are honored.
FREE. Accessible. For more information, call 508-996-4095, or visit www.nps.gov/nebe
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