Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
This entry is part of a public history project developed by the RIT Museum Studies program in celebration of the bicentennial of Frederick Douglass’s birth (February 1818). Opened June 18th, 2007, the bridge has become an important part of the Rochester skyline. Originally named the Troup-Howell Bridge, it was renamed the Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge on June 13th, 2007, in honor of Rochester's two most influential rights activists. The bridge is colloquially known as the Freddie-Sue Bridge.
The original bridge was opened in 1954 as the Troup-Howell bridge, named in reference to the two streets that it connected. The bridge was torn down and rebuilt in 2007. Five days before the new bridge was opened on June 13th, then mayor Bob Duffy officially renamed the bridge to the Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge, stating, "Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, these are two figures that are to me the epitome of the history in this city. They represent what this city is all about." This sentiment shows how even 200 years after his birth, the work that Douglass did for the country is still honored and respected, along with that of Susan B. Anthony. Both have deep connections to the City of Rochester, and are celebrated greatly in this city. Their friendship and collective fight for equality will be marked in an important piece of the Rochester skyline, and like the rights that they were able to achieve for African-Americans and women, many people use the bridge every day of their lives.
This entry is part of a public history project developed by the RIT Museum Studies program in celebration of the bicentennial of Frederick Douglass’s birth (February 1818).
Images
The Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge takes center stage in the Rochester skyline. Picture by Theresa Marconi
The Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge lit up at night. Picture by Carl Crumley
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
This entry is part of a public history project developed by the RIT Museum Studies program in celebration of the bicentennial of Frederick Douglass’s birth (February 1818). Opened June 18th, 2007, the bridge has become an important part of the Rochester skyline. Originally named the Troup-Howell Bridge, it was renamed the Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge on June 13th, 2007, in honor of Rochester's two most influential rights activists. The bridge is colloquially known as the Freddie-Sue Bridge.
The original bridge was opened in 1954 as the Troup-Howell bridge, named in reference to the two streets that it connected. The bridge was torn down and rebuilt in 2007. Five days before the new bridge was opened on June 13th, then mayor Bob Duffy officially renamed the bridge to the Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge, stating, "Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, these are two figures that are to me the epitome of the history in this city. They represent what this city is all about." This sentiment shows how even 200 years after his birth, the work that Douglass did for the country is still honored and respected, along with that of Susan B. Anthony. Both have deep connections to the City of Rochester, and are celebrated greatly in this city. Their friendship and collective fight for equality will be marked in an important piece of the Rochester skyline, and like the rights that they were able to achieve for African-Americans and women, many people use the bridge every day of their lives.
This entry is part of a public history project developed by the RIT Museum Studies program in celebration of the bicentennial of Frederick Douglass’s birth (February 1818).
Sources
Hedeen, Mike. Bridge Takes On New Name. R News. Jul 13, 2007. Accessed Feb 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225708/http://www.rnews.com/Story_2004.cfm?ID=51126&rnews_story_type=18&category=10.
Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge. Structurae. Accessed Feb 8, 2007. https://structurae.net/structures/frederick-douglass-susan-b-anthony-memorial-bridge.
Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge. Structurae. Accessed Feb 8, 2007. https://structurae.net/structures/frederick-douglass-susan-b-anthony-memorial-bridge.