Monday, June 19, 2023
Times: The Village is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: In commemoration of Juneteenth, admission to the museum is free on Monday, June 19, 2023
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On June 19, 2023, we will commemorate and explore the history, resilience, and culture of Black people in America. We encourage visitors to consider the historical and present-day significance of Juneteenth through interactions with guest speakers and performers as well as Old Sturbridge Village’s costumed educators. Engage in discussions and ask yourself “what can I do to further educate myself?” about the past and how it informs the present day. We will also welcome several special guests!
What is Juneteenth? How does it connect to Old Sturbridge Village?
Juneteenth is a day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865. More specifically, it marks the day in 1865 when troops arrived in Galveston Texas to ensure the freedom of those enslaved at the time, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The road to emancipation was a long one and although slavery wasn’t abolished in the country until decades after the Village’s time period, many seeds of abolition were sown in the first half of the 19th century through lectures, art, articles, books, and other forms of activism. As a part of our Juneteenth program, guests can:
- Listen to special music and poetry performances including drumming by the African Community Education (ACE) group of Worcester, spoken word by Ashley Wonder, and gospel music
- Learn about the story of Kwaku Walker (sometimes referred to as Quock Walker) during a special presentation by Sean Osborne, co-founder of the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (time TBD)
- Visit with Cardethia Moore of Waistbeads by Cardethia for a craft on the Common. Her waistbeads will also be available for sale.
- Take an “Uncomfortable Truths” walking tour
- And more! Check back closer to the time for a more detailed schedule
Special thanks to the following Community Partners for joining us this year and helping us plan Juneteenth programming!
