Special Events

160^th Anniversary of the Emancipation of Booker T. Washington and Juneteenth Event

Booker T. Washington National Monument will commemorate the 160th anniversary of the emancipation of Booker T Washington with special events June 19-22, 2025. Join in the festivities as the community comes together to celebrate one of the most important moments in our nation’s history, the moment of emancipation. All programs are free and open to the public and are subject to change. See the full program schedule below.

 

Event Schedule

Thursday, June 19, 2025- Juneteenth National Independence Day

11:00 AM   Born Here, Freed Here: The Emancipation of Booker T. Washington 
Starting Location: Visitor Center Back Porch 
Join a park ranger on this short walk to the historic core of the park, including the reconstruction of the kitchen cabin Booker T. Washington grew up in. Learn about Booker’s time on the Burroughs’ tobacco plantation and how it influenced his life, as well as the moment of his emancipation, 160 years ago. 

1:00 PM    Bridging the Centuries: Archeological Investigations at Booker T. Washington NM 
Starting Location: Visitor Center Back Porch 
What does archeology reveal about the landscape of slavery and emancipation 160 years later? Join archeologist Zachary Andrews as he reveals what was found during the 2024 archeological survey of the historic core of the park and what it may reveal. 

2:00 PM    Public Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation 
Starting Location: Visitor Center Back Porch 
Join a park ranger on the spot of emancipation 160 years ago for Booker T. Washington for a public reading of the Emancipation Proclamation. In his autobiography, Washington mentioned a federal officer reading the proclamation aloud and after remarked “we were told that we were all free, and could go when and where we pleased.” 

Friday, June 20, 2025

10:00 AM   The Viola Factor: Booker T. Washington’s First Education 
Location: Visitor Center Theater 
Local author Sheridan Brown discusses her fictional novel “The Viola Factor” and the history behind the very real relationship between Viola Ruffner, former schoolteacher, and Booker T. Washington. The program concludes with an author signing. 

11:00 AM   Born Here, Freed Here: The Emancipation of Booker T. Washington 
Starting Location: Visitor Center Back Porch 
Join a park ranger on this short walk to the historic core of the park, including the reconstruction of the kitchen cabin Booker T. Washington grew up in. Learn about Booker’s time on the Burroughs' tobacco plantation and how it influenced his life, as well as the moment of his emancipation, 160 years ago. 

12:00 PM   New Signs, Enduring Story: Honoring Booker T. Washington’s Early Years  
Starting Location: Visitor Center Back Porch 
Join the unveiling new interpretive signs that tell the story of Booker T. Washington’s early life and enduring legacy. These signs offer insight into his childhood experiences while enslaved on the Burroughs’ plantation. 

1:00 PM   “The Northern armies conquered”: From Appomattox to Hales Ford   
Location: Visitor Center Theater 
General Ulysses S. Grant’s victory at Appomattox Court House led to the end of slavery in Virginia, including freedom for nine-year-old Booker T. Washington. Join Park Superintendent Jim Bailey for a discussion on the connection between Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Booker T. Washington National Monument, and of Washington’s life and legacy. 

2:00 PM   Raising the Shade: Franklin County U.S. Colored Troops 
Location: Visitor Center Theater 
Join volunteers from the Raising the Shade project to learn about some of the seventy soldiers born in Franklin County who served as United States Colored Troops during the Civil War.  

3:00 PM   Born Here, Freed Here: The Emancipation of Booker T. Washington 
Starting Location: Visitor Center Back Porch 
Join a park ranger on this short walk to the historic core of the park, including the reconstruction of the kitchen cabin Booker T. Washington grew up in. Learn about Booker’s time on the Burroughs' tobacco plantation and how it influenced his life, as well as the moment of his emancipation, 160 years ago. 

Saturday, June 21, 2025

The 24th Annual Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 21 with gospel groups and educational programming throughout the day. Gospel groups include The Mickens, The Napper Singers, Pastor Maurice Yancey Sr. & One Accord, The Joy Bells, Larnell Starkey & The Spiritual Seven, The Lovely Valley Choir, and EnVue. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Food vendors will be available throughout the day.

Sunday, June 22, 2025

11:00 AM   Born Here, Freed Here: The Emancipation of Booker T. Washington 
Starting Location: Visitor Center Back Porch 
Join a park ranger on this short walk to the historic core of the park, including the reconstruction of the kitchen cabin Booker T. Washington grew up in. Learn about Booker’s time on the Burroughs' tobacco plantation and how it influenced his life, as well as the moment of his emancipation, 160 years ago. 

1:00 PM   “The Northern armies conquered”: From Appomattox to Hales Ford   
Location: Visitor Center Theater 
General Ulysses S. Grant’s victory at Appomattox Court House led to the end of slavery in Virginia, including freedom for nine-year-old Booker T. Washington. Join Park Superintendent Jim Bailey for a discussion on the connection between Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Booker T. Washington National Monument, and of Washington’s life and legacy. 

2:00 PM   Born Here, Freed Here: The Emancipation of Booker T. Washington 
Starting Location: Visitor Center Back Porch 
Join a park ranger on this short walk to the historic core of the park, including the reconstruction of the kitchen cabin Booker T. Washington grew up in. Learn about Booker’s time on the Burroughs’ tobacco plantation and how it influenced his life, as well as the moment of his emancipation, 160 years ago. 

3:00 PM   Sing the Old Songs: African Origins of the Banjo 
Location: Visitor Center Theater 
Park Ranger David Wooldridge performs on a gut-string banjo while discussing the African origins of the “banjar” and its connection to Southside Virginia. 

 

24th Annual Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom

All programs are free and open to the public and are subject to change.