To honor America’s Juneteenth holiday which commemorates the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation at the end of the Civil War when all enslaved people in the U.S. were freed, Greenwich Historical Society will stage a festive celebration at its historic campus on June 21st from 12 – 3pm with something for all age groups to enjoy.
The 2nd annual Juneteenth Celebration Festival features mouthwatering food from Stamford’s Soul Tasty that adults and children will savor while listening to the sounds of the Suburban Chaos band. Children will enjoy making educational crafts, having fun with lawn games and a scavenger hunt on the campus’s expansive lawn.
Representatives from local organizations including the YWCA and Greenwich Library will also participate. Visitors will enjoy the Historical Society’s Emancipation Garden adjacent to the barn which features plant varieties that were part of the Triangle Trade between New England, the West Indies and West Africa. Some of the plants, like the Wethersfield onion, became staples in the American diet and cornerstones of the early American economy.
For those interested in learning more about the history of Juneteenth and African American History in Greenwich, the Library and Archives and the Permanent Collections Gallery will be open for viewing historic documents and educational videos. A special exhibition, Greenwich During the Revolutionary War: A Frontier Town on the Frontline, provides additional perspective on how the War affected enslaved individuals in Greenwich.
“It is a tremendous honor for the Historical Society to once again celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of African Americans to our nation and the greater Greenwich area where many lived since our founding in the 17th century,” says Lauren Ackerley, director of public programs and exhibitions. “The festival is part of our ongoing commitment to educate the community about the complex history of enslavement and encourage an ongoing dialogue about social justice.”
The June 21st Juneteenth celebration takes place at the Historical Society’s campus at 47 Strickland Road, Cos Cob. Attendees are encouraged to bring water bottles, blankets and lawn chairs. Pre-registration is optional but recommended. There is no cost to attend. To register and for more information: https://greenwichhistory.org/event/juneteenth-celebration/
In the event of inclement weather, the celebration will take place on Sunday, June 22.
About Juneteenth:
Juneteenth – short for June nineteenth – marks the anniversary of Union troops marching into Galveston, Texas in 1865 to announce the end of the Civil War and the freedom of all enslaved people. Though more than two years had passed since the Emancipation Proclamation, slaveholders in the farthest reaches of the South continued the practice of slavery throughout the War. Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday in 2021, and today it serves as an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s history, commemorate emancipation and celebrate as a community.
