June 19 | 11am-4pm
Learn about the history of this important national holiday, commemorating the end of slavery in America.
Visit Historic Richmond Town to honor Juneteenth, featuring a day of special programs, including demonstrations of hearth cooking, discussions of social history, and historical reenactment. Learn about the history and origins of this holiday celebrating the end of American chattel slavery.
The centerpiece of the day’s events is the Juneteenth Reenactment by the Freedom Players, which re-creates the enforcement of the General Orders No. 3 in Galveston, Texas in June of 1865. This immersive theatrical performance will happen at the center of Historic Richmond Town’s main village. The theatrical presentation by the Juneteenth Freedom Players is facilitated under the direction of Dorcas Meyers, President, Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation Inc.
Slavery was deeply rooted in the North American continent, beginning with Dutch colonization in the 17th Century. New York State abolished slavery in 1827, while other states in the South and elsewhere maintained the practice, and along with it, systems of oppression and racism. The American Civil War (1861-1865) was fought over the divisive issue of slavery, which resulted in the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and later the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery nationally.
Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, on June 19, 1865, Union troops informed the people of Galveston, Texas that enslaved people were free. The jubilant celebrations of the day, known as Juneteenth, were heralded across the South and beyond, becoming a National Holiday in 2021.
General Orders No. 3, Issued by Union General Gordon Granger, June 19th, 1865 in Galveston, Texas.
PROGAM Features:
1:00pm - Historical Reenactment of the reading of General Order No. 3 in Galveston, TX - Living history program by the Freedom Players. Situated at the 3rd County Courthouse and the General Store Porch, center of museum village.
2:30pm - Jumping the Broom: Living history program at the Kruser-Finley House with the HRT Education team and the Freedom Players.
Pepper Pot Hearth Cooking Demonstration at the Guyon-Lake-Tysen House
An Island of Oystermen - Basket Making demonstration and discussion of the Oyster industry and oyster restauranteurs of color at the Basket Maker’s House
But No Man of Colour- Living history program at the Guyon Tavern, exploring the history of voting rights discrimination in 19th century New York State.
Craft Activities for kids
Discover Greatness: An Illustrated History of Negro Leagues Baseball exhibition at the Historical Museum
Additional interpretive talks and demonstrations throughout the day