Overlooking the nation’s capital in southeast Washington, D.C. sits the estate of an ex-slave, activist and history maker.

"Here’s a man that really stood and embodied the American creed or the ideas of liberty and freedom,” said Kamal McClarin, museum curator.

The year was 1878 when Frederick Douglass moved into a home on Cedar Hill, in the district’s Anacostia neighborhood, with his first wife Anna Murray Douglass. He relocated to Washington, D.C. after a fire destroyed his South Ave. home in Rochester on June 2, 1872. According to a letter Douglass wrote to the Union and Advertiser newspaper, he believes someone set the fire. He goes on to say his home may have been burned down by the Ku Klux Klan.

“In this home you really see Frederick Douglass as the doting grandfather, the naturalist. Mr. Douglass loved nature. He loved to be outdoors,” said McClarin.

It's those images of the abolitionist that the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association wanted to preserve, petitioning the federal government to make the home a historical site. In 1962, the National Park Service took over the estate, establishing a museum where visitors could get a glimpse into the historic figure’s life.

“He had a curious mind. He had a big mind in many ways because he read things from the sciences to the histories to the politics; he really was a renaissance man,” said McClarin.

Coming from a life that began on a Maryland plantation in 1818, Frederick Douglass was the son of his slave owner and was forced to teach himself how to read and write.

“That’s one of the reasons why he moved to D.C. was to be the voice using his pen to actually advocate for the formerly enslaved,” said McClarin.

Douglass’ passion for literacy is evident throughout the tour of his home; from the insides of his backyard cottage to his extensive collection of almost 3,000 books.

On his desk, there are a number of handwritten letters; some of them he wrote, and some others wrote to him. There’s even one signed by former president Abraham Lincoln.

On the second floor of the Victorian home is where Douglass slept. In his bedroom are clothes he wore on his trips to the Dominican Republic.

The abolitionist would spend the rest of his life in those quarters until his death February 20, 1895 at the age of 77. He's buried in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Many people came to visit Frederick Douglass’ home in 1895 to console his family when he passed away. One of those people was Rochester’s very own Susan B. Anthony, and she stayed in one of the guest rooms.

A picture of the women’s rights icon hangs in the first bedroom.

“Rochester sort of was the ‘nucleus’ for all those movements for change and progression,” said McClarin. “We really see him through the history books as this stoic, very serious, stern individual, who fought for liberty and freedom, who used his voice and pen to advocate for those causes.”

Celebrated as the most photographed person of the 19^th century, Frederick Douglass remains a symbol of American history and heroism during the era of social reform.

And to honor the statesman, the National Park Service is holding special events throughout the year at his D.C. home to celebrate his 200^th birthday.