Celebrate Texas Independence at "Independence Eve"

March 1

 

Juneteenth Heritage Program

06/24/2017, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

Location: Independence Hall

On the 19th of June 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and made a declaration of freedom ending the bondage of approximately 250,000 enslaved men, women and children in Texas.  Since that time, “Juneteenth” has been celebrated and remembered by picnics, parades, family reunions, pageants, barbecues and games. Join us as we observe this important occasion and celebrate the rich African American heritage and culture of the Brazos Valley, past and present.  This new program for Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site will include artifact exhibits, art displays, guest speakers such as historians and genealogists, living history buffalo soldiers and cowboys, music, food and more.

Event Highlights include:
– Dr. Andrew Torget, Professor of History at University of North Texas, author of Seeds of Empire: Cotton, Slavery, and the Transformation of the Texas Borderlands, 1800-1850

Hugh McElroy, first black football player to start in a game for Texas A&M University, 1970, will be a featured guest speaker for this event.
– Stonehamville United Methodist Church (Plantersville, TX) Youth Choir
– Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church (Brenham, TX) Men’s Choir
– Chappell Hill Historical Society to display works of late African American artist Rev. Johnnie Swearingen
– Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Program
– Prairie View Trail Riders Association
– BBQ and Beverages available for purchase

Schedule of events:
10:15am – Opening Remarks
10:30am – Charles Swenson: History of Juneteenth
11:30 -11:50am – Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Choir, Washington Texas
12:30 – Dr. Andrew Torget: Slavery in the Republic of Texas
1:30-2:15pm – Dr. Torget book signing in Visitor Center
2pm – 2:20pm – Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Choir, Brenham Texas
2:30 – Lance Jackson: Tracing Family History
3pm – 3:20pm – Stonehamville United Methodist Church Children’s Choir, Plantersville Texas
3:30 – Hugh McElroy: I Didn’t Get Here by Myself

For more information, contact Jon Failor at (936) 878-2214 ext. 224 or jon.failor@tpwd.texas.gov.

 

 

 

Location Map (Independence Hall)

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