Juneteenth Celebrations
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. News reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas that they were free and the Civil War was over on June 19, 1865. This announcement meant that the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all enslaved people and issued a year and a half earlier on January 1, 1863, was now in effect in Texas, the last state to abolish slavery. The name Juneteenth is a combination of June and 19. Other names for this date are “ Emancipation Day, ” “ Freedom Day, ” and “ Juneteenth Independence Day. ” While the celebration originated in Texas, it has spread all over the country. Juneteenth is celebrated with remembrances, family gatherings, parties, parades, prayer, and education. Forty - five states have officially recognized the day. Virginia unanimously passed legislation in 2020 to make Juneteenth a permanent statewide holiday. Juneteenth will be observed in Orange with many educational and celebratory events. The Orange County African American Historical Society and Montpelier have teamed up to host a month of events, both live and virtual. Lectures, tours, live concerts, storytelling, exhibitions, a wreath - laying ceremony, and more are scheduled in June. There will be vendors, musicians, performers, historical interpreters, and artists at Montpelier to create a lively atmosphere of learning and celebration. In addition, the Arts Center in Orange will host presentations on Saturday, June 19, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. focused on storytelling. These may be attended in person or watched live by computer. Orange County Offices, the Landfill, and Collection Sites will be closed on Friday, June 18, 2021, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. The Landfill and Collection Sites will resume their normal operating hours on Saturday, June 19, 2021. County Offices will reopen on Monday, June 21, 2021, at their normal operating hours.
Find all the details and more information at these websites: Orange County African American Historical Society
Montpelier
The Arts Center in Orange
https://visitorangevirginia.com/a - glimpse - into - african - american - history - and - culture - in - orange - county/
Gilmore Cabin, the first example of a restored freedman ’ s residence open to the public, is located in Orange County.
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