Event
Juneteenth: A commemoration and re-enactment
Fee:
Free.Dates & Times
Date:
Time:
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Type of Event
Description
Join us for a commemoration of the Juneteenth celebration of the end of slavery in Texas in 1865. The day-long event features a reading of the actual declaration, issued in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, and a wide variety of living history re-enactments, talks, performances and demonstrations exploring the era of the Civil War and the significance of the declaration, which is now recognized as a national holiday.
There will also be a special performance of appropriate selections by the gospel choir of the Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church of Mt. Vernon, New York, and a wreath-laying ceremony, in the historic cemetery, at the graves of two Black soldiers who served in Union Army regiments that were stationed in Texas in June of 1865. The progam schedule is produced below:
St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site
897 South Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
914-667-4116 www.nps.gov/sapa
A Celebration of Juneteenth
Monday, June 19, 2023, from 10 AM to 4 PM
Free admission and parking.
10 AM: Event Begins. Continuous demonstrations include:
Surgery and medicine in the era of the Civil War, by a historical re-enactor;
Talks about the Civil War and the history of the Juneteenth celebration, by living historians and Park staff;
Historic children’s games and toys available at the western side of the church;
11:30 AM: In the museum, a performance, and sing-along, of songs of the Civil War, with historical commentary.
1 PM: In the church, a program recognizing the Juneteenth holiday, with a reading of the text of the original proclamation declaring the end of slavery in Texas, delivered in Galveston, Texas on June19, 1865. There will also be special performances by flutist Eric Thomas, bass baritone singer Ronald Campbell, and the gospel choir of the Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church of Mt. Vernon, New York.
1:30: PM (approx.) Join us for a brief walk in the historic cemetery, laying wreaths at the graves of two Black soldiers who served in Union Army regiments that were stationed in Texas in June of 1865. They are Private George Carter of the 10th U.S.C.T. and Private John Bird of the 117th U.S.C.T.
4 PM. Event ends.
Light refreshments available in the museum.