Documentaries About Tubman, Douglass To Be Produced By MPT

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland Public Television will be producing two original documentary films about two of the state's most important historical figures, Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. In conjunction with New York-based Firelight Films, the two one-hour films will be produced in a 30-month time span and ready to air across public television stations nationally in February 2022.

Pre-production on the two films is underway and production will begin later this year. Portions of the two films will be shot in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

According to Maryland Public Television, Douglass was born in 1818 in Talbot County and escaped
from slavery in 1838, going on to become a leader of the 19th century abolitionist movement. He also gained national prominence as a social reformer, orator, writer, publisher and statesman. He died in 1895.

Tubman was born enslaved in Dorchester County in 1820 and escaped in 1849. As the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad, she guided more than 300 slaves to freedom. During the Civil War, Tubman served as a nurse, cook, laundress, spy and scout. She lived the balance of her life in Auburn, New York, opening schools for African Americans and giving speeches on women’s rights. She died in 1913.

“There are no two people more important to our country’s history than Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman,” said Stanley Nelson with Firelight Films in a statement. “Their remarkable lives and contributions were a critical part of the 19th-century and their legacies help us understand who we are as a nation. We are honored to share their stories with a country that continues to grapple with the impact of slavery and debate notions of citizenship, democracy and freedom. We’re hopeful that the accompanying conversation will serve teachers and students and the larger country about what these two remarkable individuals overcame and accomplished.”

MPT's educational division will develop a companion website to be used in kindergarten through 12th grade educational components through video assets, interactive learning experiences and standards-based lessons. Other project elements include a year-long traveling exhibit in association with the Maryland Historical Society, supplemental short-form, web-exclusive content from MPT Digital Studios, and a comprehensive social media outreach campaign.