on fellow ous L g ulletinH e Volume 10 No. 2 A Newsletter of the Friends of the Longfellow House and the National Park Service December 2006 pecial nniversary ssue House SelectedB As Part of Underground Railroad Network to Freedom S Henry WadsworthA LongfellowI he Longfellow National Historic Site apply for grants dedicated to Underground Turns 200 Thas been awarded status as a research Railroad preservation and research. ebruary 27, 2007, marks the 200th facility with the Na- This new national Fanniversary of the birth of America’s tional Park Service’s Network also seeks first renowned poet, Henry Wadsworth Underground Railroad to foster communi- Longfellow. Throughout the coming year, Network to Freedom cation between re- Longfellow NHS, Harvard University, (NTF) program. This searchers and inter- Mount Auburn Cemetery, and the Maine program serves to coor- ested parties, and to Historical Society will collaborate on dinate preservation and help develop state- exhibits and events to observe the occa- education efforts na- wide organizations sion. (See related articles on page 8.) tionwide and link a for preserving and On February 24 the Longfellow House multitude of historic sites, museums, and researching Underground Railroad sites. and Mount Auburn Cemetery will hold interpretive programs connected to various Robert Fudge, the Chief of Interpreta- their annual birthday celebration, for the facets of the Underground Railroad. tion and Education for the Northeast first time with the theme of Henry Long- This honor will allow the LNHS to dis- Region of the NPS, announced the selec- fellow’s connections to abolitionism. Both play the Network sign with its logo, receive tion of the Longfellow NHS for the Un- historic places will announce their new technical assistance, and participate in pro- derground Railroad Network to Freedom status as part of the NTF. gram workshops. Sites, programs, and program on September 19 at the House. The U.S. Postal Service has announced facilities listed in the NTF are eligible to (continued on page 2) that it will issue a Henry W. Longfellow commemorative first-class stamp in 2007. Longfellow House Bulletin Turns 10 Longfellow’s 200th Birthday Celebration ith this issue, the Longfellow House Longfellow NHS has worked Harvard’s Sanders WBulletin completes ten years of pub- with Houghton Library at Har- Theater where the lication. Conceived in 1996 by Diana Kor- vard University on a major exhi- Boston Landmarks zenik, first president of the Friends of the bition called “Public Poet, Pri- Orchestra will ac- Longfellow House, as essential to the vate Man: Henry Wadsworth company a reading Friends’ mission, it has informed both the Longfellow at 200,” which opens of “Paul Revere's public and researchers about the House on January 16.To keep them safe Ride.” On Sunday, collections and activities. Under the edi- from fire, the Longfellow family June 24 the Way- torial guidance of scholars Ruth Butler trust deposited many of Long- side Inn in Sud- and Marilyn Richardson, the Bulletin came fellow’s papers from the House bury will host a to focus on breaking news at the House at Harvard in 1956. Objects still jazz brunch with supplemented by supporting research arti- at the House will be on view as garden tour and cles in thematically related issues. Jim Shea well. Longfellow scholar Chris- poetry readings, and Glenna Lang continue the endeavor. toph Irmscher has written an including Longfel- The Bulletin is produced twice a year illuminating catalog. low’s “Tales of a cooperatively between the Friends of the Displaying more than forty Photo of Henry with Trap, 1864 Wayside Inn.” Longfellow House and the National Park of Henry’s and his family’s drawings from For information on all these events and Service. All back issues of the Bulletin for the House, the Maine Historical Society more, go to www.longfellow200.org, a use as records and research tools can be will host a special exhibition on the Longfel- website posted by the Longfellow Bicenten- found on the websites of both the Friends lows as artists. It opens on February 16. nial Committee. It lists an array of con- and the National Park Service. The bicentennial gala event will take certs, lectures, readings, and educational place on Sunday afternoon, March 25 at programs for students and teachers. 1 - House To Be Part of Network To Freedom (continued from page 1) Sheri Jackson, NPS Northeast Regional information about these contributions and VWX Coordinator, had previously visited the also demonstrate his interest in court cases House to learn more about its connections involving freedom seekers and his close ties Friends of the Longfellow House to abolitionism and had encouraged the to many other abolitionists, such as Charles Board of Directors staff to apply. Sumner and James Russell Lowell. President Heather S. Moulton, “We are very honored,”said NPS Super- Barclay Henderson, Vice President The NTF sees the Underground Rail- Robert C. Mitchell, Treasurer intendent Myra Harrison, “to have this road as far more than a network of hiding Polly Bryson, Clerk important aspect of the site’s story recog- places for fugitive slaves. The Underground Hope Cushing nized. People will see Longfellow in a new Railroad, in the broader sense, refers to the Diana Der-Hovanessian light, and it will bring new audiences here.” struggle of enslaved African Americans to Frances J. Folsom The research facility at the Longfellow gain their freedom by escaping bondage and Maura Graham NHS includes an extensive archive with the to all those who assisted this cause through Edward Guleserian papers (and corresponding finding aids) of donations of money or goods, such as food Sarah B. Jolliffe Henry W. Longfellow, his wife Fanny, his or clothing, or provided shelter. While some Linda Almgren Kime brother Samuel, and his daughter Alice efforts were spontaneous acts of kindness, Layne Longfellow Longfellow—all of whom held strong others were deliberate and organized. Laura Nash anti-slavery sentiments. In addition and of Lynne Spencer Candidates applying for NTF status may particular interest are the papers of Rich- come from within or outside of the NPS. Advisory Board ard Henry Dana Jr., a Boston lawyer and A regional coordinating committee reviews Ruth Butler abutting neighbor of the Longfellows, who and votes on applications twice a year, and LeRoy Cragwell defended fugitive slaves and their rescuers. the public is invited to attend. In fall 2006 Diana Korzenik Many historic and rare books on this sub- the regional coordinator accepted twenty- Richard Nylander ject are in the Longfellow family library and five listings into the Network, including two Stephen D. Pratt are available to researchers. from Cambridge: the Longfellow NHS and Marilyn Richardson Through his painstaking work cross- Mount Auburn Cemetery. Marc Shell referencing account books with letters at Charles Sullivan Other sites in the Boston area also in the Lowell A. Warren Jr. Harvard’s Houghton Library and journal Network to Freedom are the Joshua Bowen transcripts in the House archives, Museum Smith House in Cambridge and the Jack- Administrator Manager of the LNHS Jim Shea has begun son Homestead in Newton. J.L. Bell to get a clearer picture of Henry’s involve- Shea mused enthusiastically: “Being in- ment with the Underground Railroad. cluded in the Underground Railroad Net- Newsletter Committee “There is a treasure trove of information work to Freedom will open up a new fron- Editor, Writer & Designer Glenna Lang, here,” said Shea, “just waiting for other Marilyn Richardson, Consultant tier for us. Henry Longfellow was among James M. Shea researchers to put together. We hope to the first international figures associated with encourage more researchers to use our [abolitionism]. It will be great for people to opq archives to explore this connection further.” learn more about this aspect of the man.” Archives at both Houghton and the Because of Longfellow’s involvement National Park Service House contain many records of Henry with the Underground Railroad and the Myra Harrison, Superintendent Longfellow as an active abolitionist and par- number of his abolitionist friends whom James M. Shea, Museum Manager ticipant in a network to aid freedom seekers. he met with in the House, the Longfellow Lauren Downing, Administrative Officer Account books provide evidence of Longfel- NHS will apply in January to the NTF to Education and Visitor Services Nancy Jones, low’s financial contributions to former slaves Paul Blandford, Museum Educator be included as a site in addition to its new Anita Israel, Archives Specialist and the abolitionist cause. His journal status as a facility. (See related articles David Daly, Collections Manager entries and letters provide further specific throughout this issue of the Bulletin.) Lauren Malcolm, Museum Technician Flo Smith, Management Assistant Liza Stearns, Education Specialist Ed Bacigalupo, Chief of Maintenance Scott Fletcher, Facility Manager

Printed by Newprint Offset, Waltham, Mass. 1234 All images are from the Longfellow National Historic Site collections, unless noted otherwise.

Entries in Henry Longfellow’s account book on page entitled “Money given, 1855,” showing donations to Mr. Lang’s colored church, Mr. Vassall (see page 7), Ida May (a generic reference to a slave), and a Fugitive Slave

- 2 Image by permission of the Houghton Library, Harvard University Interview with a Friend…Meet Christoph Irmscher, Scholar Author of Longfellow Redux, published by LH: Have you learned anything new there is a three-dollar donation to a “Negro the University of Illinois Press in August about him since you wrote Longfellow Redux? church.” Also, we see from his account 2006, Christoph Irmscher is a Professor of CI: I wasn’t aware of the extent of Long- books that, even though Josiah Henson vis- English at Indiana University in Blooming- fellow’s transnational contacts—such as ited him once, his commitment to him con- ton. He is currently putting the finishing Hans Christian Andersen in Denmark— tinued over the years. It’s not over with that touches on his book-length catalog to but my overall understanding of Longfel- visit. Henson is in Canada starting that accompany the upcoming Longfellow low has not significantly changed. Doing church, and Longfellow remains invested. bicentennial exhibit, which he curated, at research on the artifacts that I picked for LH: Why hasn’t Longfellow been more Harvard University’s Houghton Library. the exhibition has enhanced my knowledge widely thought of as an abolitionist? Longfellow House: Can you tell us a bit of Longfellow in many ways. CI: He was politically one of the most about your educational background? LH: Did you come across material asso- progressive New England writers, except Christoph Irmscher: I wrote my disser- ciating Longfellow and abolitionism? that he believed in keeping his political tation on William Carlos Williams, Wallace CI: One really interesting item for me opinions limited to his personal encoun- Stevens, T.S. Eliot, and Ezra Pound—four was a transcript he wrote of a sermon in ters. In his personal life he was outspoken iconic modernist poets—about ways in 1848 when he was vacationing in Pittsfield, and quite firm in his convictions. However, which they represent the poet’s work in he was convinced that poetry was a civic their poetry. It was published as a book in duty and should not be colored by specific Germany. I was pretty much a Modernist. political views. There are exceptions, such After receiving my Ph.D. in Germany and as his Poems on Slavery. He was one of the teaching there for at least a year, I came to most pacific poets—committed to non- Harvard as a research fellow to write a book violence—of the nineteenth century, as on nineteenth-century nature writing, well as one of the most tolerant on race. which was a secondary interest of mine. My His commitment [to racial equality] mentor for the fellowship was Daniel continued after Poems on Slavery. You find so Aaron. I worked with him for two years. many references to him in African Ameri- LH: As a person born and raised in Ger- can newspapers—it’s quite striking to see many, how did you become interested in how Longfellow’s name was synonymous Henry Longfellow? for them with commitment to anti-slavery CI: Prof. Aaron is one of the great issues. It was a name they felt comfortable names in American Studies. He had writ- in using. After he died, the Christian Recorder ten on Longfellow. In 1993 I read one of his printed a short but very moving little note. essays, an introduction to an edition of They said “his influence was always given Hiawatha, a poem that I, in grad school, had on the side of liberty.” I was also surprised heard terrible things about as part of the by the number of instances of Longfellow’s imperialist nineteenth-century enterprise Massachusetts. He listened to an African name being mentioned in slave narratives. to remove all Indians—basically a colonial- American preacher named Hunt at the LH: Given Longfellow’s huge popularity ist poem. Aaron’s was a very different pic- Abyssinian Church and transcribed what he in his time, to what do you attribute the ture of Longfellow, a mixture of praise and heard. When you read it, you can hear the decline of his image in the twentieth century? skepticism, but something that gave me an preacher’s voice—a very vernacular interpre- CI: I think, to a large degree, the birth of indication that this was more complicated. tation of the story of Noah, very evocatively the English department contributed to his I started reading Hiawatha, and I was done—describing how people don’t believe decline in popularity. The kind of literature struck by how evocative and lyrical it was. I Noah and mock him. It shows how serious Longfellow wrote was not intended to be felt as if previously I had been deprived of Longfellow’s interest was in these issues. overanalyzed and treated as the possession a significant piece of American literary his- Other really interesting items are the of the few. It was meant for the masses, to tory. Also, while researching Audubon's account books, where you find that with be read and understood by many people. Mississippi River Journal in Houghton, I read some regularity Longfellow donated money Longfellow saw to it that so many of his Evangeline and saw how powerful Longfel- to African American churches in the U.S. books were available in editions that were low’s landscape descriptions were, even and Canada. You see him donating money affordable. He was a poet of the people. though he had never seen Louisiana. over many, many years to these churches. He As a Modernist, I was less disposed to LH: Where did you go from there? obviously felt that something vital was be interested in the nineteenth century. CI: I began to realize there were going on there. It’s quite a big deal for some- Ezra Pound felt writing poetry was some- untapped resources at Houghton—Long- body of his background in Portland, who thing that you do for members of your fellow’s manuscripts, his artwork—which I wasn’t exposed to racial issues, to step out coterie, not something that is supposed to don’t think anyone before me had seriously of his immediate circle and develop an be accessible to as many people as possible. looked at. The drawings seemed to express interest in these things. In Longfellow’s life, English departments, traditionally, have what I found interesting about Longfellow: you see a continuing devotion to the cause of been more interested in poetry that requires his transnational commitment. All the black liberation during reconstruction. you to do a lot of work to understand it while, I kept reading more Longfellow. Even in the last month of his life in 1882, fully. Longfellow speaks to us immediately. 3 - Something for the Great Cause: The Influence of Longfellow’s Poems on Slavery enry Longfellow’s grandson and fam- 1842, Longfellow received impassioned liberty, and in freedom from slavery of all Hily historian Henry W. Longfellow reviews, both positive and negative. Despite kinds; but I cannot for a moment think of (Harry) Dana left notes for a lecture he gave the outcry among some segments of the entering the political arena. Partisan warfare in 1940 called “The Negro in Literature: population, Longfellow stood behind his becomes too violent, too vindictive, for my The Last HundredYears in America.”Dana poems. Within a few weeks of publication taste; and I should be found a weak and began by citing his grandfather’s “desire he wrote to his father: “Some persons re- unworthy champion in public debate.” from the age of 17 to do something ‘for the gret that I should have written them, but Harry Dana observed that there had great cause of Negro Emancipation.’”This for my own part I am glad of what I have been “Indignation in the South and in the desire was “rekindled by Freiligrath in Ger- done. My feelings prompted me, and my conservative North against these poems” many and Dickens in England.” judgment approved and still approves.” and that they were “Omitted from the Following an extended correspondence, Longfellow allowed the New England Philadelphia edition of Longfellow.” A let- Longfellow met Ferdinand Freiligrath, the Anti-Slavery Tract Society to reprint and ter from Rufus Wilmot Griswold, editor of German revolutionary poet and translator distribute these poems for free, for which Graham’s Magazine, to Henry W. Longfellow, of many of Longfellow’s works into January 7, 1843, explained this: “I German, on his six-month European thank you for the Poems on Slavery. tour in 1842. Freiligrath vociferously That last word never is seen in a opposed slavery and expressed his Philadelphia magazine. You will un- radical political views in his poetry. derstand therefore the reason of the Charles Dickens, the British novel- brief notice I have made of it. Mr. ist renowned for exposing social injus- Graham objected even to publishing tices, began his tour of America in the title of the work!” Boston in late January 1842. During his In a journal entry on August 1, 1846, two weeks in Boston, Dickens spent H.W. Longfellow recorded: “The mail time with Henry Longfellow and dined brings me an Anti-Slavery Standard, with with him at the House. Later that year, a long and violent tirade against me for Longfellow visited Dickens in London. publishing the Poems on Slavery in the After reading Dickens’s manu- cheap edition,– taken from a South script of American Notes, Longfellow Carolina paper. How impatient they wrote to his friend Charles Sumner are, those hot Southrons. But this piece from Dickens’s study on October 16, Charles Sumner and Henry Longfellow, 1863 of violence is quite ridiculous….” 1842: “I have read Dickens’ book. It is jovial they expressed much gratitude. By 1862, during the Civil War, the edi- and good natured, and at times very severe. W.Ware’s review of Poems on Slavery in the tors of the Evening Post reflected on Longfel- You will read it with delight and, for the Christian Examiner, January 1843, was among low’s Poems on Slavery written two decades most part, approbation. He has a grand the favorable: “Especially happy are we to earlier and characterized it as “The Poet’s chapter on Slavery. Spitting and politics at be able to count one of Mr. Longfellow’s Warning.”They wrote: “The poet of the Washington are the other topics of centure genius and celebrity among those friends of people often becomes the seer—prophesy- [sic]. Both you and I centure them with universal liberty, who are willing to speak ing that which will come…. Our popular equal severity, to say the least.” their word in its behalf. In this little book and much beloved American poet Longfel- At Sumner’s request, Henry agreed to of poems he has spoken with feeling, with low is no exception to this rule, for though write and publish a set of anti-slavery truth, and eminent poetic beauty.” he wrote little upon the subject of slavery, poems: “Write some stirring words that Poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf what he wrote is full of the pathos of gen- shall move the whole land. Send them Whittier felt Poems on Slavery had “been an uine feeling and pregnant with prophetic home and we will publish them.” important service to the Liberty move- truth. In 1842—twenty years ago—his dis- During a violent storm at sea on his ment” and inquired as to whether Longfel- cerning eye foresaw the inevitable result of return to America, Longfellow wrote seven low would be a candidate for Congress on that institution of American slavery which poems, including “The Quadroon Girl,” the Liberty Party ticket. “Our friends think was the black spot on the escutcheon of our “The Slave Singing at Midnight,”and “The they could throw for thee one thousand republican government, and which he felt Witnesses.” In a letter to Freiligrath, Janu- more votes than any other man.” would in time, if not erased, be the instru- ary 6, 1843, he described the event: “...thus Longfellow responded to his request in ment of final decay. His words, clothed in ‘cribbed, cabined and confined’ I passed fif- September 1843: “It is impossible for me to harmonious and appealing melody, were, teen days. During this time I wrote seven accept the Congressional nomination you however, unheeded, until the black spot poems on slavery. I meditated them in the propose…. Though a strong anti-slavery spread into a cloud of portentous dimen- stormy, sleepless nights, and wrote them man, I am not a member of any society, and sions, and broke over the land in a storm of down with a pencil in the morning. A small fight under no single banner. I am much blood and desolation. It may not be inap- window in the side of the vessel admitted gratified that the Poems on Slavery should have propriate at this time to recall to our mem- light into my berth; and there I lay on my exercised some salutary influence; and thank ory one of his most touching and emphatic back, and soothed my soul with songs.” you for your good opinion of them. At all poems [“The Warning”].” (For full text of Upon their publication in December times I shall rejoice in the progress of true “The Warning” see page 9.) - 4 Longfellow’s Outrage at the Fugitive Slave Law he passage of the Fugitive Slave Law ture of an alleged fugitive slave. O city ranging from $2 to $50, roughly equivalent Tin 1850 enraged Northern whites, and without soul! When and where will this to $48 to $1200 today. turned even moderates into activists. It end? Shame, that the great Republic, the On at least two occasions Longfellow deeply affected Henry Longfellow and his ‘refuge of the oppressed,’ should stoop so contributed $10 to Mary Elizabeth Worme- close friends, among them Charles Sumner low as to become the Hunter of Slaves!” ley, who raised money to buy the freedom of and Richard Henry Dana Jr. This federal Two days later Longfellow remarked: slaves. On July 29, 1853, he wrote to her: “I law required residents in free states to aid “Sumner came not withstanding the rain. am ashamed to send you so small a sum as in arresting runaway slaves. Those who He says that Charles G. Loring is to defend the inclosed for an emergency so great as the helped escaped slaves faced a $1000 fine, six the fugitive Simms [sic]. They want to get a one you mention. If necessary I will double months in jail, and possible charges of trea- the amount; and if time presses, and donors son. The law also established a separate le- reluctant, be kind enough to let me know it. gal system to process accused fugitives. I am very glad you have undertaken this busi- Both free blacks and former slaves fled ness. I am sure you will carry it through tri- their homes since they had no legal right to umphantly; and the bitterness of begging plead their cases under the Fugitive Slave will be lost in the sweetness of giving.” Law. Abolitionists and ordinary citizens Three days later she responded that she organized committees, raised funds, and had received from many people a total of assisted the Underground Railroad. Boston $1,441. “I shall free Evelina and her younger emerged as a center for resistance to this law. children and Sarah’s husband,” she said. Longfellow wrote of his meeting the “Three of John Gorden’s children will be escaped slave Ellen Craft. Passing for a white left behind. May the Father of the fatherless man, she had traveled north to freedom with save them from the fate hanging over them.” her husband pretending to be her slave. On In June 1857 Longfellow’s account book February 12, 1850, Henry recorded in his shows that he gave “Mrs. Hillard for Slaves journal: “Went to Miss Bremer’s…. While $5.00.” It was well known that Susan Hillard, I was there, Ellen Craft came in,– the slave wife of Henry’s long-time friend George woman who ran away disguised in man’s Stillman Hillard, secreted fugitive slaves in clothes as a young master, her husband the attic of her house on Beacon Hill. going as her slave. When Miss Bremer told Longfellow surely knew this and supported me who it was, and spoke of man’s clothes, her efforts with a monetary donation. Mr. Ellen hung her head and said she did not Hillard was a United States commissioner like it mentioned,– and ‘some people whose business it was to issue warrants to thought it shocking.’ Miss Bremer laughed chance to argue the constitutionality of this marshals for the capture of runaway slaves. at this prudery, as well she might; and we infamous Fugitive Slave Law.” Their neighbor, Rev. James Freeman Clarke, both urged her to be proud of the act.” On April 29, 1854, Longfellow cheered believed that Mr. Hillard knew of his wife’s Longfellow’s journals show that he had his friend on: “Sumner is still going from concealment of slaves but never interfered. carefully tracked several of the fugitive slave town to town stirring the hearts of men with Longfellow longed for an end to the Law. cases in Boston and decried the city for its his noble words on Slavery. God speed him.” His June 29, 1854, journal entry read: “News tolerance of such injustices. On October In a letter to Charles Sumner, June 2, 1854, from Washington of a fierce debate in Con- 26, 1850, he railed: “The slave-hunters are Longfellow praised him and the work of gress on a repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law, in Boston. I hope they will be imprisoned, their mutual friend Dana: “To-day is decided in which Sumner takes a conspicuous part, as they deserve. What a disgrace this is to a the fate of Burns, the fugitive slave. You have and does himself much honor.” republic of the nineteenth century.” read it all in the papers—the arrest, the trial, Longfellow summed up his attitude to- On October 27, 1850, he noted: “Sumner etc. Dana has done nobly; acting throughout wards the Fugitive Slave Law in his journal at dinner. The Fugitive Slave, Craft, has got with the greatest nerve and intrepidity. Fanny on April 29,1858: “Dine with the Club. Felt a warrant against his pursuers, and had them joins me in congratulations on your noble vexed at seeing plover on the table this sea- arrested for slander in calling him a thief, position and labors. It is a great thing in one’s son, and proclaimed aloud my disgust at the damages laid at ten thousand dollars. life to stand so long and unflinching in the seeing the game-laws thus violated. If any- They found bail. This is a good beginning. range of the enemy’s artillery.” body wants to break a law, let him break the I hear they will be drummed out of town.” After the Fugitive Slave Law was passed, Fugitive Slave Law. That is all it is fit for.” And on February 15, 1851: “A fugitive Longfellow’s account books report numer- By December 2, 1859, Longfellow saw a slave, or a man accused of being one, escaped ous donations throughout the 1850s given brighter future: “This will be a great day in today from the court room during the recess, directly to free or educate individual slaves our history; the date of a new Revolution,– aided by other blacks. Very glad of it. This and their children. They also include entries quite as much needed as the old one. Even government must not pass laws that outrage for contributions to organizations and now as I write, they are leading Old John the sense of right in the community.” schools to help freedom seekers, and to Brown to execution in Virginia for attempt- On April 4, 1851, he wrote: “There is those offering them shelter. Dozens of ing to rescue slaves! This is sowing the wind much excitement in Boston about the cap- entries show that Longfellow gave amounts to reap the whirlwind, which will come soon.”

Poster courtesy of a private collection 5 - A Gathering Place for Outspoken Opponents of Slavery: Some of the Many Abolitionist Visitors to Longfellow’s House Charles Sumner Julia Ward Howe Richard Henry Dana Jr. harles Sumner grew up and lived for ost famous for writing the “Battle ichard Henry Dana Jr., an attorney Cmany years on the “back side” of Bea- MHymn of the Republic,” Julia Ward Rand author of the novel Two Years Before con Hill, home to many former and fugi- Howe (1819-1910) was a reformer and writer the Mast, defended many African Americans tive slaves and free blacks, who formed a and the wife of Samuel Gridley Howe. who fought their return to slavery under supportive community. Sumner knew this Both spent much time at the House and the Fugitive Slave law. He also defended community well were good friends with the Longfellows. those who helped these African Ameri- and became close Howe became interested in social causes, cans. Dana refused fees for most of this friends with a num- particularly abolitionism and women’s suf- work. In his later years he remarked that ber of the leading frage. Although her husband disapproved his involvement in this cause represented black abolitionists of her working outside the home, he relied the “one great act” of his life. in Boston. After heavily on her contributions as a writer and Dana and his family were intimate the passage of the editor for the Boston Commonwealth, the daily friends with the Longfellows as well as back- Fugitive Slave Law newspaper of the Boston Emancipation door neighbors throughout the 1850s. Henry of 1850 and because League for which he was the publisher. Longfellow’s daughter Edith married Dana’s of his activity in the (Henry Longfellow’s account book shows son Richard Henry Dana III. At Longfel- anti-slavery move- that he gave ten dollars to the Emancipa- low’s House the attorney and the poet must ment, many wealthy Boston families turned tion League on February 17, 1863.) She was have shared their news and views on the abo- against him, including Longfellow’s father- the first woman elected to the American lition of slavery, as evidenced by Longfel- in-law, the textile-manufacturing magnate Academy of Arts and Letters, an honorary low’s journal entry on January 2, 1863: Nathan Appleton. In 1848 Sumner de- society begun “Beautiful as yesterday… R.H. Dana [Jr.] nounced, in his often-quoted words, the in 1904 which came in the evening, and talked of the pres- “unhallowed union” between “the lords of chooses the ident’s Proclamation, in his own clear way.” the lash and the lords of the loom.” most excep- Dana was one of the foremost attorneys Sumner was Longfellow’s closest friend tional artists, representing fugitive slaves in the 1850s. and most frequent visitor to the Longfel- writers, and After gaining recognition as one of the low House for almost thirty-five years. He composers in most prominent members of the Suffolk was first elected to the U.S. Senate from America and bar, he became associated in 1848 with the Massachusetts in 1851 and remained there was then con- Free Soil movement, which opposed the until 1874. Sumner and other friends sat in sidered the expansion of slavery into the territories. He Longfellow’s study to hear the announce- highest played a major part in their Buffalo con- ment of his election as the abolitionist can- recognition. vention that year, As a result of this, the didate. Longfellow recorded in his journal: Boston circles in which he had been reared “The papers are all ringing with Sumner, shunned him, but it brought him the cases Sumner!... Meanwhile the hero of the strife Samuel Gridley Howe of the fugitive slaves Shadrach Minkins, is sitting quietly here, more saddened than octor and first director of the Perkins Thomas Sims, and Anthony Burns, and exalted.”When not in Washington, D.C., DSchool for the Blind, Samuel Gridley that of Shadrach’s rescuers. Sumner spent most Sundays or entire week- Howe (1801-1876) became a leading aboli- Despite Dana’s four-hour speech defend- ends with the Longfellow family. tionist in New England.With his wife Julia ing Burns, he lost the case. On the night fol- Sumner was a leader in the anti-slavery Ward Howe, he published the abolitionist lowing Burns’s surrender in May 1854, Dana movement both in Massachusetts and daily Boston Commonwealth from 1851 to 1853. was brutally assaulted on the Boston streets. throughout the nation. He was an ardent Howe was an active member of the Free- abolitionist senator who attacked the Fugi- Soil Party and the New England Emigrant tive Slave Law and denounced the Kansas- Aid Company, an organization started to Nebraska Act of 1854. On May 19-20, 1856, secure Kansas as a free state following the Sumner delivered his passionate anti-slav- passage of the Kansas-Nebraska act in 1854. ery speech known as “The Crime Against With growing tensions over the issue of Kansas.”Two days later on the floor of the slavery in the country, Howe joined with Senate, South Carolina Congressman Pre- five other Boston-area men to help arm and ston S. Brooks beat him senseless with a fund the activities of abolitionist John cane. Sumner never fully recovered. As a Brown in Kansas. “The Secret Six,” as they confidant of Abraham Lincoln, Sumner were later named, disbanded following was influential in encouraging him to issue Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry. Dr. Howe the Emancipation Proclamation, a presi- helped found the Emancipation League, a dential order declaring freedom to all slaves group which supported the enlistment of in the Confederate states not already black soldiers in the Civil War and pro- returned to Union control. moted black education afterwards.

- 6 Photo of Julia Ward Howe courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division Some of the Many Abolitionist Visitors to Longfellow’s House Lunsford Lane Harriet Beecher Stowe James Russell Lowell arriet Beecher Stowe was best known Cambridge native and Brattle Street Has the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, first Aneighbor of the Longfellows, editor, published weekly as a serial in The National poet, and diplomat James Russell Lowell Era in 1851. Her best-seller infuriated South- (1819Ð1891) remained a life-long friend of erners by focusing on the cruelties of slav- Henry Longfellow and often visited him at ery, particularly the separation of families. the House. Longfellow raved about her book in his In 1855 Lowell succeeded Longfellow as journal on February 24, 1853: “Mr. and Professor of Modern Languages at Har- Mrs. Stowe came to dinner…. How she is vard University, and in 1857 he was the first shaking the world with her Uncle Tom’s editor of the Atlantic Monthly magazine. Cabin! At one step she has reached the top Later in life he served as American Minis- of the stair-case up which the rest of us ter to Spain and Great Britain. climb on our knees year after year. Never Lowell wrote many articles and poems was there such a literary coup-de-main as upholding the principles of abolitionism. ongfellow’s journals reveal that he this. A million copies of a book within the His poems may have been inspired by his Lreceived at least one visit from Luns- first year of its publication.” wife, Maria White Lowell, who strongly ford Lane (1803-?), a successful business Stowe was one of the early (unsigned) opposed slavery as well. In 1845 he became man and outspoken author who had been writers for the Atlantic Monthly whose stated a regular editorial writer for the Pennsylvania born a slave in Raleigh, North Carolina. goal was to cast “the light of the highest Freeman, a fortnightly journal devoted to the In 1835 Lane was able to purchase his morals.” She spoke against slavery all over anti-slavery cause. In spring of 1848 he own freedom with money he earned on the the United States and Europe. After meet- agreed to contribute either a poem or a side from various enterprises. He then ing President Lincoln, she reported that he prose article each week to the National Anti- opened a store and purchased a house in remarked, “So you're the little woman who Slavery Standard of New York. Raleigh. Because of growing hostility wrote the book that made this great war.” “Mr. Lowell is one of the most rabid of towards free blacks, in 1840 Lane had to flee the Abolition fanatics; and no Southerner to the North, leaving his wife and children Josiah Henson who does not wish to be insulted, and at behind. Eventually he earned enough the same time revolted by a bigotry the money to purchase their freedom as well. orn into slavery most obstinately blind and deaf, should In the early 1840s Lunsford Lane moved Bin 1789 in Mary- ever touch a volume by this author,” wrote to Cambridge, Massachusetts. He became land, Josiah Henson Edgar Allan Poe in his 1848 review of Low- an active member of the American Anti- fled to Canada where ell’s The Biglow Papers. Slavery Society. Founded in Philadelphia he founded the Dawn His poem called “The Present Crisis,” in 1833 and led by William Lloyd Garrison, Institute, a settlement written in 1844, provided inspiration at the the society considered slavery illegal, not house which taught time and for years to come. In 1910 the lead- only under the U.S. Constitution but also trades to fugitive ers of the National Association for the under natural law. slaves. A Methodist preacher, he traveled Advancement of Colored People chose to In 1842 Lane wrote an account of his life throughout the United States and Great call their new publication “The Crisis” comprehensively titled The Narrative of Luns- Britain lecturing against slavery. With the after Lowell’s poem. ford Lane, Formerly of Raleigh, N.C. Embracing an underground railroad he assisted over two Account of His Early Life, the Redemption by Pur- hundred slaves in their flight to Canada. chase of Himself and Family from Slavery, and His Longfellow’s journal entry of June 26, Banishment from the Place of His Birth for the 1846, vividly describes Josiah Henson’s visit Crime of Wearing a Colored Skin. “Published by to the House: “In the evening Mr. Henson, Himself ” in Boston, it sold many copies in a Negro, once a slave, now a preacher, called America and England. to get subscription for the school at Dawn, In a journal entry on March 22, 1855, in Upper Canada, for education of blacks. Longfellow noted: “Lundy Lane and old I had a long talk with him, and he gave me Mrs. Vassall (born a slave in this house in an account of his escape from slavery with 1769) came to see me. And stay so long that his family.” Longfellow’s account books [Boston publisher James] Fields is driven record that he gave money to “Father Hen- away.”Mrs.Vassall was one of the daughters son” many times over the next thirty years. of Tony and CubaVassall, slaves of the orig- Three years after Henson’s visit to the inal builders of the House, John and Eliza- House, he published his autobiography bethVassall.TheVassalls lived in the House entitled The Life of Josiah Henson. from 1759 to 1774 before fleeing to England Harriet Beecher Stowe modeled her on the eve of the American Revolution. Uncle Tom character on Henson.

Lithograph of Lunsford Lane courtesy of Wellesley College Library, Special Collections 7 - Harvard’s Houghton Library Exhibition: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow at 200 s part of the Longfellow Bicentennial Cases 3 and 4, “Family” and “Friends,” popularity—and therefore also his corre- Acelebration, Harvard University’s center on Henry’s personal side, sometimes spondence—exceeded that of any serious Houghton Library has organized a com- divulged in his poetry. Case 3 displays a lit- American poet before or after him.” memorative exhibition called “Public Poet, tle-known deleted stanza from “The Chil- Finally, in Cases 7 and 8 we observe Private Man: Henry Wadsworth Longfel- dren’s Hour.”Case 4 shows a carte de visite with “Longfellow as Translator, Longfellow in low at 200.” It will run from January 16 photographer Alexander Gardner’s widely Translation” and his commitment to world through April 21, 2007. circulated double-portrait of Sumner and literature. Fluent in nine languages and a According to Leslie Morris, Curator of Longfellow, entitled “Politics and Poetry of reader of eight more, Longfellow translated Modern Books and Manuscripts at New England.” (See photo on page 4.) and helped bring international literature, Houghton, it “offers an innovative view of “The Public Poet,” Case 5, portrays the such as Dante’s entire Divine Comedy, to the poet's connection with his audience, man who preferred speaking through his Americans for the first time. He became an and his efforts to give an international verse to speaking in public. His strong stand icon himself, as seen in the jug pictured dimension to American literature. Using against slavery is displayed in an eight-page below. It bears Henry Longfellow’s famous manuscripts, drawings, and photographs pamphlet containing seven of his anti-slav- poem “Kéramos” in which he declares that from Longfellow's papers at the Houghton ery poems reprinted in 1843 by the New all people “Are kindred and allied by birth,/ Library and the Longfellow National His- England Anti-Slavery Tract Association. And made of the same clay.” toric site, a portrait of professional author, “Longfellow’s Readers,” Case 6, conveys, This and sixteen other items are on loan devoted friend, and loving family man according to Irmscher, that “Longfellow’s from the collections in the House. emerges, bringing humor and humanity to our view of this American icon.” The exhibition will be displayed in eight Maine Historical Society’s Bicentennial Exhibition flat glass cases, each considering a theme “Drawing Together: The Arts of the lows’ strong inter-generational efforts are from Longfellow’s life, further elucidated in Longfellows,” an exhibition commemorat- supported by dozens of drawings com- exhibition curator Christoph Irmscher’s ing Henry’s 200th birthday, opens on Feb- posed by parent and child together. Draw- companion catalog. Viewed together, Irm- ruary 16 at the Maine Historical Society on ing was vital to Henry’s son Ernest, who scher explains, the carefully chosen items Congress Street in Portland, Maine. became a professional artist. The poet’s reveal how the supposedly “‘private’ aspects As a tribute to the poet, this new exhi- niece Mary King Longfellow (1852-1945) of [Longfellow’s] life constantly intersected bition explores the lives of grew up on South Street in with the more public aspects of his under- Henry Longfellow and his Portland, trained at the standing of authorship, his collaborative family through the art Museum School in Bos- projects, and his commitment to his readers.” they created. Organized ton, and was widely recog- Case 1, “From Portland to Cambridge,” by museum curator John nized as a skilled water- contains excerpts from letters and early pho- Mayer and guest curator color artist during the tographs pertaining to Henry’s childhood Laura Fecych Sprague, it nineteenth-century. in Maine, his relationship with his parents, features works from the This exhibit will feature his marriage to Fanny Appleton, their early collections of the Maine a large number of little- family life, and Fanny’s untimely death. Historical Society, the known works, ranging Case 2, “Travel,” begins with Henry’s Longfellow National His- from drawings of Tripoli first European tour to learn languages and toric Site, Houghton Li- made in 1804 by Henry secure his position as professor of modern brary at Harvard Univer- Wadsworth, the poet’s languages at Bowdoin College. It displays sity, and others. It will run uncle and namesake, to poetry, manuscripts, and pictorial docu- through June 3, 2007. sketches made by Henry ments from the rest of his peripatetic life, Henry Longfellow has Longfellow and his brother including some of his travel sketches. long garnered world atten- Henry W. Longfellow’s drawing Alexander for and with tion for his literary talents, of his son Erny reading, 1853 their children. The Long- but many other Longfellows were extremely fellows, keen observers of the world around accomplished in their respective fields them, created compelling, and often very —from the cartography of Alexander humorous, works with rudimentary pencil Wadsworth Longfellow, Henry’s brother, to and pen-and-ink. The objects in this exhibi- the architectural history scholarship of tion reveal not only how drawing, painting, William Pitt Preble Longfellow, Henry’s and other artistic pursuits were central to the nephew. Based on thousands of sketches, Longfellows’ daily lives but also reflect the drawings, watercolors, and doodlings, rise of educational training in nineteenth- “Drawing Together” explores the family’s century America. deep commitment to art of all types. A For more information about Henry skilled visual artist himself, the poet was Wadsworth Longfellow and his family, Known as the “Longfellow jug” with excerpt from especially fond of drawing to teach, encour- visit: www.hwlongfellow.org, one of the Longfellow’s “Kéramos” and other poem titles, 1880 age, or entertain his children. The Longfel- most informative websites on this subject. - 8 Longfellow’s Impact on Abolition in Latin America The Warning s a Paterson fellow using the House that the United States was yet to confront. Aarchives, Ivan Jaksic studied Henry The pioneer Hispanists blamed Spain Beware! The Israelite of old, who tore Longfellow’s contact with poets and schol- for the origins of the problem of slavery. The lion in his path,--when, poor and blind, ars in Latin America and concluded that Longfellow wrote the devastating tale He saw the blessed light of heaven no more, the American poet had provided support “Torquemada” in 1862 to denounce the ex- Shorn of his noble strength and forced to grind and inspiration to Hispanic abolitionists. tremes of Spanish Catholicism. But the In prison, and at last led forth to be Longfellow was a- harsh realities of A pander to Philistine revelry,-- mong a small group the current Ameri- Upon the pillars of the temple laid of Americans, in- can slavery also up- His desperate hands, and in its overthrow cluding Washington set him. As early as Destroyed himself, and with him those who made Irving and George 1834, he was deter- A cruel mockery of his sightless woe; Ticknor—who pio- mined to do “what The poor, blind Slave, the scoff and jest of all, neered the serious my feeble talent Expired, and thousands perished in the fall! study of the His- enables me in the There is a poor, blind Samson in this land, panic World in the cause of slave eman- Shorn of his strength and bound in bonds of steel, nineteenth century. cipation.” In 1842 Who may, in some grim revel, raise his hand, With the U.S. expan- his most intimate And shake the pillars of this Commonweal, sion south and west, friend, Charles Sum- Till the vast Temple of our liberties and the Mexican- Havana harbor, 1860, the Longfellows’ photo collection ner, persuaded him A shapeless mass of wreck and rubbish lies. AmericanWar in the 1840s, interest increased to write Poems on Slavery, which reverberated —H.W. Longfellow, 1842 in Hispanic studies and the Spanish lan- around the world. guage. As a professor of Spanish (among Longfellow said of his Poems on Slavery other languages) at Harvard, Longfellow was that “the spirit in which they are written is Longfellow House in the Media an early “Hispanist” and disseminated the that of kindness—not denunciation—at all Bibliophile and author of A Gentle Madness, yet-to-be discovered literature and history of events not violence.”This approach echoed Nicholas A. Basbanes wrote an article on Spain and its former colonies. most strongly among writers in Spanish Longfellow’s celebrity for Smithsonian Maga- In his new book, The Hispanic World in America, especially Cuba. Many countries zine to be published in January 2007 in American History and Literature, 1820-1880, in the region had abolished slavery by mid- honor of the poet's 200th birthday. Ivan Jaksic, professor of history at the Uni- century, but Cuba had not. In fact, the flow l versidad Catolica de Chile, argues that there of African slaves had increased during the In October 2006 Oxford University Press were deep reasons for the nineteenth-cen- nineteenth century, raising fears of either a published a newly rediscovered 1865 novel tury American fascination with Hispanic Haitian-style rebellion or a takeover fi- by Julia C. Collins called The Curse of Caste; culture. Americans wanted to establish their nanced by the southern states. or the Slave Bride, the first novel ever pub- own national culture and identity. Early Many Cubans, especially writers, sought lished by a black American woman. This Hispanists argued that Spain was a great Longfellow’s advice on how to turn public new edition also includes her 1864 essay example of a nation whose spirit of freedom opinion against slavery. Sophia Willard “Life Is Earnest,”whose title and theme led to its liberation from foreign (Islamic) Dana Ripley introduced him to the young derive from Longfellow’s “Psalm of Life.” occupation and to some of the greatest Cuban Nicolás Vinageras, who gave the l accomplishments in history, most notably poet many of the Cuban books that are still Dr. Darshak Sanghavo recounted Fanny Columbus’s discovery of the NewWorld. in his library today. The brothers Antonio Longfellow’s pioneering use of ether dur- These Hispanists were dismayed, how- and Eusebio Guiteras from Matanzas vis- ing childbirth in 1847 in an article entitled ever, that Spain’s former religious tolerance ited him in 1849. “Both are very agreeable,” “The Mother Lode of Pain” featured in the had degenerated into Catholic persecution he wrote in his journal, “and are Cuban Boston Globe Magazine, July 23, 2006. of Protestants and resulted in the bigotry Anti-Slavery Men!” Longfellow provided and despotism that characterized imperial such visitors and correspondents with sam- Spain until its collapse in the early nine- ples of his poetry, some of which were sub- Henry W.Longfellow to Frances Farrer, teenth century. They felt Americans should sequently printed in Cuba. Given the cen- May 8, 1862: treasure the values upon which their coun- sorship and political turmoil there, Cubans “…Of the civil war I say only this. It is try was founded and never permit the dom- found Longfellow’s poetry a safe way to not a revolution, but a Catalinian conspir- inance of one religion or condone the con- express their patriotic feelings. acy. It is Slavery against Freedom; the north quest of foreign territories. The collapse of The struggle to abolish slavery in Cuba wind against southern pestilence. I saw Spain reminded Americans to reinforce val- was long and arduous and did not culmi- lately, at a jeweler’s, a slave’s collar of iron, ues that fostered peace and prosperity. nate until 1888. But the American poet with an iron tongue as large as a spoon, to These Americans strongly associated Ca- Henry Longfellow had sensitized his Cuban go into the mouth. Every drop of blood in me tholicism with the despotism of imperial counterparts about the serious moral and quivered! The world forgets what Slavery Spain and also with slavery. Spain had intro- political consequences of retaining slavery really is!” duced slavery into the NewWorld at the urg- and had given them the recognition and ing of key Church members, leaving a legacy support they needed at a critical time. 9 - Recent Donations Selected Entries from Henry W. Longfellow’s Account Books ictor Gulotta, former Friends board 1850 October African Newspaper 3.00 Vmember and antiquarian book dealer, 1851 June Negro School Michigan 3.00 donated to the House a book from Fanny June 13 Mr. Lang, negro Med. Student 5.00 Appleton’s library, with her signature and 1852 May Colored church, Springfield 3.00 the date “Jan. 18th, 1841,” two years before October Slave mother 2.00 her marriage to Henry Longfellow. 1853 August Miss Wormeley for Slaves 10.00 Written originally in French by states- November- Mr. Still (slave) 5.00 man and historian François Guizot, Essay 1854 Jan. 25 For Slaves 3.00 on the Character and Influence of Washington in the Feb. 16 Slaves in Canada 5.00 Revolution of the United States of America was August 23 Mr. Spence Negro School 3.00 translated by Henry’s friend George S. 1855 March 24 Mr. Vassal 10.00 Hillard and published in Boston in 1840. April 29 Mr. Spence Afr. School 5.00 This first edition included a translator’s 1856 March 28 Lundford Lane 10.00 preface, which read: “The following Essay May Church in Kansas 10.00 is a translation of the Introduction, by M. June 13 Anti-Slavery Tract Son 5.00 Guizot, to a French version of Spark’s Life June 15 Church in Wash. 15.00 of Washington, and of selected portions of June 20 Mich. Negro School 15.00 Washington’s Writings, which has recently September Kansas 50.00 appeared in Paris, in six octavo volumes.” November Alex Pensil for Slaves 10.00 November Loyd, the “Nubian Prince” 20.00 Frankie Wetherell, the poet’s great- 1857 April W. Wilson, Canada 5.00 granddaughter, generously donated a num- May To free slave children 5.00 ber of items originally from the House. Oct. To free a slave 5.00 Among them were: a bureau scarf with Alice Mary Longfellow's monogram, “AML,” and other linens, two cow bells on Recent Visitors & Events at the House a leather strap and a small hanging scale from the Carriage House, and a silver serv- People from all walks of life have always come to the Longfellow House for cultural activities. Today ing bowl and spoon engraved on the side the House continues to host numerous people and events. The following items represent only a small with “AAL” (Annie Allegra Longfellow, portion of what has taken place here recently. Henry’s youngest daughter). At the June 15th annual potluck, Longfellow NHS honored William Ackerly and Frances Ackerly for their contributions to the Longfellow garden restoration. Fellowships Awarded Frances was also recognized for her many years of service to the House as a Friends of the Longfellow House board member and a volunteer in the House archives. he Friends of the Longfellow House r Tawarded the Paterson Fellowship to Harvard Museum Studies graduate student Mirit Lerner Naaman worked as an Virginia Jackson, Associate Professor of intern re-cataloging part of the House’s historic book collection.With funds from English, Tufts University, who is work- the Friends, Sharon Crapo has worked under the Student Conservation Associa- ing on her second book, tentatively titled tion program as an intern in the Longfellow garden alongside Mona McKindley. National Meter: Nineteenth-Century American Poetry in Public r . She writes, “My thesis for At the Cambridge Senior Clearinghouse ceremony in June, Cambridge Mayor Ken- the book is based on Longfellow’s exper- neth Reeves presented awards to outstanding senior volunteers. Mary Ann Parker imentation with verse forms, his prac- received an award for her service to the Longfellow House. tices of translation, and his comparative r pedagogy.” Edie Bowers, great-great-granddaughter of Richard Henry Dana Jr. and Henry Longfel- Charles C. Calhoun, author of Longfellow, brought her daughter Allegra Griffiths and ten-year-old granddaughter low: A Rediscovered Life (Beacon Press, 2004), Nathalie Dana Griffiths of London to explore the House and archives, and look at received the Friends’ Korzenik fellowship family dolls, toys, and clothing. Nathalie especially loved the fancy dresses! to study Thomas Gold Appleton and the r cultural and social life of Boston after the For “Family Days,” the Concordant Junior Volunteers presented a living history Civil War. Appleton was Fanny Longfel- program about the Longfellows and their friends during the Civil War. Re-enac- low’s brother, a highly cultured patron of tors from the Salem Light Infantry, known as the Zouaves, set up camp to add fine arts and an early American expatriate another authentic touch. Over four hundred people participated in the festivities. in France. Calhoun suggests that the con- r ventional view of the late nineteenth cen- From September 1946 to March 1947 Sylvia Maynard lived in the attic of the tury as years of decline for Boston is not House while attending Radcliffe College. She has recently returned to live in Cam- the case, and that “in certain cultural and bridge. The staff interviewed her about her life in the House. educational fields…Boston continued to lead the nation.” - 10 Grandson Harry Dana Charlotte Cleveland: In Memoriam Hoped for Book on devoted and energetic member of the erly continued. “She always said ‘yes,’ and Aboard of the Friends of the Longfellow she was always willing to help.” Longfellow & Abolitionists House from 1997 to 2004, Charlotte Cleve- As seen in the photo below, Charlotte land was instrumental in so many of the threw herself into the open-air Summer n a typewritten, single-spaced, nine-page Friends’ activities. Besides Festival at the Longfel- Iletter on September 20, 1940, to Ulysses serving as its treasurer for low NHS each year. “She G. Lee Jr., Henry Wadsworth Longfellow five of those years, she was the Summer Festival,” (Harry) Dana spoke of both his grandfa- helped with the annual recalled Friends’ founder thers and their importance to the anti-slav- Summer Festival, garden Diana Korzenik. “She ery movement. One grandfather was Henry parties, mailings, and gen- booked us all to sit at the Longfellow, the other Richard Henry Dana erally “picked up the slack Friends’ table in order to Jr., defender of fugitive slaves. Harry hoped wherever she saw it,” said recruit new members. to persuade Lee—a Howard University her fellow board member Char saw to it that there graduate, professor of English, and author Marilyn Richardson. was food and that every- of African American studies—to collabo- A political activist and one was having a good rate with him on a book about this subject. humanitarian all her life, time. And they certainly “This narrative could really be given an in 1994 Charlotte visited did, because of her spirit. epic sweep,” Harry wrote to Lee. “It could and aided Bosnian women I loved Char's laugh, her begin with the influence of [William Pitt] in refugee camps in Croa- great joy in the silliest of Fessenden during Longfellow's boyhood, tia through knitting to relieve their stress and things, and her absolute reliability.” about which I think you could find out a earn income. She was “passionate about pol- Even when her health was failing, she great deal more. It could then come down to itics,” said another board member Frances was the first to arrive for last June’s annual the influence of Sumner and to the double Ackerly, who had worked with Charlotte on NPS-Friends event. Charlotte Cleveland influence during the trip abroad in 1842 of a Cambridge City Council campaign. “I died at the age of 79 on October 16, 2006. Freiligrath and Dickens, to…re-writing, still brought her to a Friends meeting very early The National Park Service and the Friends under their influence, the Poems on Slavery in on, and she wanted to come back for more.” plan to honor her with a special concert this their final form. It could then take up even “Char was such a worker,” Frances Ack- summer as part of the Summer Festival. more fully than you have the attack on these poems from the South…[and] Longfellow's relations with the Abolitionists. I can give Recent Research at the House you much more material on William Lloyd Garrison, Harriet Beecher Stowe, etc. The Longfellow House archives contain over 700,000 manuscripts, letters, and signed documents and “There would then come the 1850s, with are used extensively by researchers from around the world. Here are a few recent researchers of the sev- a series of Fugitive Slave Cases. From the eral hundred who use the archives annually. papers of my grandfather Dana, who was the lawyer defending Anthony Burns, I can Charles Kaufmann, music director of the First Parish Church of Portland, Maine, give you still more unpublished material. (where the Longfellow family attended services) has scoured the archives’ large sheet Then in 1856 comes the brutal attack on music collection for Longfellow poems set to music. In 1878 the Hindu composer Sumner in the Senate and lying here on the Sarindro Mohun Tagore sent from Calcutta to Longfellow his two Sanskrit settings sofa in Longfellow's House. So the story of “The Psalm of Life” and “Excelsior.”A sitarist will accompany these for the choral could proceed through the execution of concert Kaufmann is planning for Longfellow’s bicentennial in February. John Brown in 1859, the election of Lincoln l in 1860, the Civil War in 1861, on down to For a book on the first girls’ school in America—the Moravian school in Bethlehem, the Assassination of Lincoln in 1865. Pennsylvania, Natalie Bock of Bethlehem combed the archives. Patriots’ daughters, “There is really the theme for a very including Mary “Polly” Allen, illegitimate daughter of pre-Longfellow resident of impressive and moving book on the subject the House Andrew Craigie, had attended this school. Bock was delighted to find a of the Anti-Slavery Movement as seen copy of Polly Allen’s “journal,” a short account of her life, as well as other useful through the eyes of an important American information in the Frederick Haven Pratt and Stephen D. Pratt Research Papers. poet. It is a story which could really mark l grandly, if you only did not stop it and Don Matheson is writing an article on the staircase in Mrs. Samuel Appleton’s (Fanny block the progress with irrelevant details. Longfellow’s aunt) house at 53 Beacon Street. which was designed in 1855 by Nathaniel “Indeed I wish I could persuade you as Bradlee. One of the variant sets of plans shows a three-story spiral stair that corre- I tried to when I first wrote you two years sponds exactly with that shown in a House archives photograph of a painting of the ago, to agree that both you and I should older house at 37 Beacon Street. Matheson believes that the stair was moved and collaborate on such a book.” reused at 53 Beacon. He read Fanny Longfellow’s letters to locate her quote calling The project never came to fruition, but Aunt “Sam’s” house “a little birdcage of a house.” He feels it refers to the staircase. Harry left several thick files for it labeled “Poems on Slavery” in the House archives. 11 - potlight on an bject nS each issue of the newsletter,O we focus Longfellow National Historic Site, National Park Service Ion a particular object of interest in the Longfellow National Historic Site joined the national park system in 1972. Its Longfellow House collection. This time many layers of history, distinguished architecture, gardens and grounds, and exten- our spotlight shines on the 1849 fron- sive museum collections represent the birth and flowering of our nation and con- tispiece of The Liberty Bell, an annual anti- tinue to inspire school children and scholars alike. The Vassall-Craigie-Longfellow slavery publication modeled on the fash- House most notably served as headquarters for General George Washington in the ionable gift books of the time. It was early months of the Revolutionary War. It was later the home of Henry Wadsworth edited by Maria Weston Chapman. Longfellow, one of America’s foremost poets, and his family from 1837 to 1950. Ten letters in the 1840s to Longfellow from Chapman show their close friend- ship. The Anti-Slavery Fair and sales of For information about the Longfellow House and a virtual tour, visit: The Liberty Bell raised thousands of dol- www.nps.gov/long lars for the abolitionist cause. Sisters Maria and Anne Chapman were the chief organizers of the fairs, popular Boston s social events. The Liberty Bell appeared Friends of the Longfellow House intermittently from 1839 to 1867. As editor, Maria wrote many pieces Since 1996, the Friends of the Longfellow House, a not-for-profit voluntary group, herself and pressed three of her sisters has worked with the National Park Service to support Longfellow National Historic into work. She also solicited contribu- Site by promoting scholarly access to collections, publications about site history, tions from such notables as Lydia Maria educational visitor programs, and advocacy for the highest quality preservation. Child, Eliza Cabot Follen, Wendell Phillips, James Russell Lowell, and Har- To find out more about the Friends of the Longfellow House, visit: riet Martineau. Henry W. Longfellow www.longfellowfriends.org received many such requests and often declined, but in 1845 and 1846 he wrote a poem for Chapman’s abolitionist annual. His brother Samuel Longfellow also contributed to it in 1851 and 1856. Friends of the Longfellow House 105 Brattle Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138