Greenwich Historical Society To Host 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Historical Society will mark Juneteenth with a community celebration on June 21, offering food, music, activities, and educational programming to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

The second annual Juneteenth Celebration Festival will take place from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the Historical Society’s Cos Cob campus at 47 Strickland Road. Admission is free and open to all, with pre-registration encouraged. In case of rain, the event will be held on June 22.

Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation. Union Army General Gordon Granger delivered the news to those still enslaved in Galveston, Texas, that they were free.

This year’s festival will feature food from Stamford-based Soul Tasty and live music from the Suburban Chaos band. Children’s activities will include crafts, lawn games, and a scavenger hunt.

Local organizations such as the YWCA and Greenwich Library will also be on-site. Visitors can explore the Historical Society’s Emancipation Garden, which features crops linked to the Triangle Trade between New England, the West Indies, and West Africa. Plants such as the Wethersfield onion reflect the influence of these trade routes on early American agriculture and cuisine.

Those seeking a deeper understanding of Juneteenth and African American history in Greenwich can visit the Library and Archives and view exhibits in the Permanent Collections Gallery. A special exhibition, Greenwich During the Revolutionary War: A Frontier Town on the Frontline, explores the impact of the war on enslaved individuals in the region.

“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,” said Lauren Ackerley, director of public programs and exhibitions, in a news release. “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.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and water bottles. For more information or to register, visit greenwichhistory.org.