Helen Pitts Douglass 1838-1903

Portrait of the second Mrs. Douglass. Helen Pitts was a suffragette from a prominent New York family . She graduated from Mount Holyoke College and taught at Hampton Institute. Mr. Douglass hired her as a clerk in the office of the Recorder of Deeds in Washington. She also assisted him while he wrote his autobiography.

Anna Douglass, Frederick's first wife died in 1882. He married Helen Pitts in 1884. They were married for 11 years, when Mr. Douglass died of a heart attack. Although Douglass left Cedar Hill to Helen, the will was ruled invalid. Inspired by Mount Vernon, Helen borrowed money to purchase the house from the Douglass children to found the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association. Through her commitment and determintion, most of what Mr. Douglass used in the house is now part of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. After her death, the National Association of Colored women raised funds to purchase the House and remaining grounds.