Galveston Juneteenth Celebration Marks 150th Anniversary June 7 - 20
GALVESTON ISLAND, Texas (May 11, 2015) – When you head to Galveston this June, you’ll be coming home where it all began as the island hosts several days of festivities to celebrate Juneteenth – a holiday that originated in this historic beach town.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth, which will be celebrated with parades, festivals, picnics, African-American heritage exhibits, reenactments, concerts and more. New this year, historic Reedy Chapel will host a Buffalo Soldier Reenactment June 18 and 19 at the church grounds. On June 19, the soldiers – dressed in 1866 period United States Army uniforms – will lead a Juneteenth parade from Reedy Chapel to the Old Galveston Courthouse to hear a reading of General Order No. 3, which was read in Galveston on June 19, 1865 to inform the last slaves in the United States that they were free.
Also new this year, the Old Central Cultural Center will host a celebration in honor of Galveston-born world champion boxer Jack Johnson June 13. At the event, veteran boxing promoter Bob Spagnola will speak about Johnson’s accomplishments in the ring and the impact he had on the sport.
More than 17 other events are planned for Galveston’s 2015 Juneteenth celebration. Below is a list of events:
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Juneteenth Development Corporation Scholarship Gala
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $15/Children $7.50 at the door
Location: Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Avenue M, Galveston
Contact: Dorothy Brown (409) 762-0063 or Archie Ruth DeClout (409)765-6120
Description: Young ladies ages 17 to 22 will compete for scholarships and prizes. The first place winner will be crowned Miss Juneteenth Ambassador. Contestants will be judged on an oral presentation of their goals and aspirations, a creative talent, formal wear and a question and answer session.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Al Edwards’ Juneteenth Banquet
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $35
Location: Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Avenue M, Galveston
Contact: Pete Henley (409) 392-0317 or Douglas Matthews (409) 599-5520
Description: Dr. John Rudley the president of Texas Southern University is the featured speaker at this event. Sponsorships are available at $350, $500 and $1,000. Individual tickets are $35. Proceeds will benefit the Old Central Cultural Center.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Galveston Historical Foundation presents “African American History: Importance & Reflection”
Time: 10 a.m.
Admission: Free
Location: 1861 Customs House, 502 20th Street, Galveston
Contact: (409) 765-3410
Description: The Galveston Historical Foundation will host Deborah Mack from the National Museum of African American History and Caleb Daniels from the Rice University history department. They will bring a historical perspective to Juneteenth and inspire us with thoughts on the importance of African American history.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
10th Annual Juneteenth Family Day at Stringfellow Orchards
Time: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: 7902 State Highway 6, Hitchcock
Contact: Samuel Collins, III (409) 256-3822
Description: Activities for the day include historical reenactments, games for children of all ages, music and performances at Stringfellow Orchards. Stringfellow Orchards was owned by Henry Martyn Stringfellow (1839-1912), a successful businessman in the late 1880s. Because of his success, Stringfellow was able to pay orchard workers one dollar a day (when the going wage was fifty cents). This enabled workers, mostly freed slaves, the opportunity to better take care of their families and progress after the Emancipation.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
African American Museum Juneteenth Family & Friends Festival
Time: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: Kermit Courville Stadium Parking Lot, 27th and Avenue L, Galveston
Contact: James Josey (409) 497-6963
Details: This family-friendly event features a kids’ zone, food vendors, hip-hop dancers and live music throughout the day.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Juneteenth at Jack Johnson Park: The Heart of a Champion
Time: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: Olld Central Cultural Center, 2617 Avenue M, Galveston
Contact: Douglas Matthews (409) 599-5520
Description: Veteran boxing manager and historian Bob Spagnola will conduct a meet-and-greet along with several of his current and former clients to discuss and view videos of the world champions he has associated with during his 25 years in the business. The talk will be held in the Old Central auditorium located adjacent to Jack Johnson Park. John Arthur “Jack” Johnson was born in Galveston March 31, 1878 and became the first African American to win the world heavyweight boxing championship in 1908.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Nia Cultural Center: Screening of "Celebrating Freedom Then & Now"
| Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
| Admission: Free Location: Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Avenue M, Galveston Contact: Sue Johnson (409) 765-7086 Inspired by a discussion of elders’ recollections of the celebration of Juneteenth when they were young, the Nia Cultural Center decided to document these firsthand accounts using area students to record interviews. This enlightening documentary will explore the factual history of the holiday and testimonials of how the celebration of Juneteenth and the Galveston community has changed over time. |
| Sunday, June 14, 2015 St. Vincent’s House Gospel by the Sea Benefit Concert Time: 6 p.m. Admission: Free with ticket Location: The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice Street, Galveston Contact: Rev. Freda Marie Brown or Linda Cole (409) 763-8521 Description: Please join St. Vincent’s House for the annual concert for Galveston’s Juneteenth celebration. Call ahead for tickets. |
| | |
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Discussion with Leonard Pitts, author of “Freeman”
Time: 7 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: Sieber Center at Galveston College, 4015 Avenue Q, Galveston
Description: The Galveston Reads program and Rosenberg Library present a discussion of the book “Freeman” with author Leonard Pitts.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Galveston Historical Foundation Presents “The Making of the Underground Railroad: From Slavery to Freedom”
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: Menard House, 35th and Avenue O, Galveston
Contact: Call (409) 765-3468 to register
Description: Since 2002, as part of Galveston’s annual Juneteenth activities, Galveston Historical Foundation has produced an Underground Railroad program to educate local children about American slaves who escaped to freedom and the abolitionists who helped them. The event consists of a day of reenactments of the lives of people who traveled the famous Underground Railroad. The program is designed to show children the challenges slaves faced in escaping to freedom. Children must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Buffalo Soldier Encampment
Time: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: Old Galveston Courthouse, 21st Street and Winnie, Galveston
Contact: Sharon Gillins (409) 974-4839
Description: The encampment will take place where African American soldiers, known as Buffalo Soldiers, were camped when General Gordon Granger came to Galveston in 1865 to read General Order No. 3 that ended slavery in Texas. Here, actors will demonstrate the use of tents, cooking utensils and other equipment these soldiers used 150 years ago. This event is made possible with the help of a grant from the Mary Moody Northen Foundation.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Texas Juneteenth Gala at Ashton Villa
Time: 7 p.m.
Admission: $25
Location: 1859 Ashton Villa, 2328 Broadway, Galveston
Contact: Douglas Matthews (409) 747-2791
Description: This event celebrates the historic actions of former State Representative Al Edwards, the Texas Legislature and Governor Bill Clements who signed the bill making Juneteenth as state holiday in June 1979 and the state funding of $100,000 for the Texas Juneteenth statue erected at Ashton Villa in June 2007.
Friday, June 19, 2015
36th Annual Al Edwards Juneteenth State Holiday, Emancipation Proclamation Reading and Prayer Breakfast
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Admission: Free
Location: 1859 Ashton Billa, 2328 Broadway, Galveston
Contact: Douglas Matthews (409) 747-2791
Description: The Emancipation Proclamation will be read to commemorate the historic event that occurred in Galveston on June 19, 1865, two years after it was enacted in 1863. Galveston holds the distinction of being the place of the first reading of the Proclamation in the South. The event also celebrates Texas State Representative Al Edwards’ sponsorship of two legislative bills establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1979 and providing for a Juneteenth statue in Galveston. Juneteenth was the first government-recognized holiday for black people in the United States. Free breakfast will be provided after the program.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Buffalo Soldier Encampment
Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: Old Galveston Courthouse, 21st Street and Winnie, Galveston
Contact: Sharon Gillins (409) 974-4839
Description: The encampment will take place where African American soldiers, known as Buffalo Soldiers, were camped when General Gordon Granger came to Galveston in 1865 to read General Order No. 3 that ended slavery in Texas. Here, actors will demonstrate the use of tents, cooking utensils and other equipment these soldiers used 150 years ago. This event is made possible with the help of a grant from the Mary Moody Northen Foundation.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Annual Annie Mae Charles Juneteenth Picnic
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: Wright Cuney Park, 41st Street and Ball Street, Galveston
Contact: Anna Fields (409) 939-4674 or Barbara Gordon (409) 599-8050
Description: The picnic includes refreshments, music, activities and a special program including the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Juneteenth at Jack Johnson Park
Time: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: Jack Johnson Park, 2601 Avenue M, Galveston
Contact: Douglas Matthews (409) 599-5520
Description: Enjoy local entertainment and refreshments at the pavilion. Jack Johnson Park was dedicated in November 2012 and is operated by the Old Central Cultural Center Board of Directros. This community park recognizes its native son, John Arthur “Jack” Johnson, born March 31, 1878. Johnson became the first African American to win the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship in 1908. A life-size statue was placed in the park in his honor.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Annie Mae Charles Juneteenth Noon Parade
Time: 12 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: 33rd Street and Seawall Blvd., Galveston
Contact: Rosalyn Jackson (409) 497-3203
Details: Parade goers will enjoy motorcycles, Corvettes, drill teams and many other participants from Galveston County.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Reedy Chapel A.M.E. Church Juneteenth Homecoming for the 150th Emancipation March
Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Admission; Free
Location: Old Galveston Court House, 21st Street and Sealy Street
Contact: Sharon B. Gillins (409) 974-4839
Description: Bring your family to walk in the footsteps of their ancestors as Reedy Chapel A.M.E. Church reenacts the first documented celebration of emancipation held on January 1, 1866 and attended by nearly 1,000 citizens of Galveston. Witness history and hear the 150th reading of General Order No. 3 from the steps of the Old Galveston Courthouse. A jubilant march to the historic sanctuary at Reedy Chapel A.M.E. Church will follow. Here, an inspirational program of music, performance and speakers will take place.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Galveston Juneteenth Parade
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: 1600 Strand Street to Seawall Blvd., Galveston
Contact: Rosalyn Jackson (409) 497-3203
Description: The parade will begin at 1600 Strand Street and travel west to 25th Street. It will travel south to Seawall Blvd., west to 28th Street and north to Avenue Q. The parade will feature area bands, drill teams and other performers.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Take it to the Wood “Juneteenth Celebration” Shiloh A.M.E. Church
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: 1320 29th Street (MLK Blvd.)
Contact: Reverend Kevin Hodge, Sr., Pastor
Description: This celebration includes food, games and entertainment for the whole family.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Galveston Historical Foundation Juneteenth Community Concert
Time: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: Saengerfest Park located, 23rd Street and Strand Street, Galveston
Contact: (409) 765-7834
Description: The Juneteenth Community Concert is sponsored by the Galveston Historical Foundation. Historically, the first formal celebrations of Emancipation and Abolition were celebrated in the public square. The concert will feature live music.
For a full list of events, please visit www.galveston.com/juneteenth.
About Juneteenth
Many people think slavery ended on September 22, 1862 – the date Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. In reality, many slaves weren’t freed until much later when news of the proclamation reached their towns. The last of those slaves lived in the South and were freed on June 19, 1865 after the Emancipation Proclamation was read on a harbor pier in Galveston, Texas. This date eventually became known as “Juneteenth.” While celebrations were long held in Galveston and various parts of the country in earlier years, Texas lead the way in making Juneteenth an official state holiday in 1980.Today, Juneteenth is celebrated in more than 40 states throughout the country.
About Galveston Island
Galveston Island is a historic beach town located on the Gulf of Mexico just 50 miles from Houston. The island is best known as a vacation destination, offering 32 miles of beaches, a variety of family attractions, Texas’ premier cruise port and one of the largest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country, including several National Historic Landmarks. Galveston Island is home to popular amusements such as, Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, as well as a variety of museums and recreational activities from surfing to birding. For more information on Galveston Island visit www.galveston.com or call 1-888-GAL-ISLE.
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