Juneteenth Heritage Program

On the 19^th 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.  The Brazos Valley has a rich history in celebrating Juneteenth, including the Juneteenth parade in Brenham, TX, which began in the early 1870s and continues to this day.

Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site and H-E-B observe this important occasion with its Juneteenth Heritage Celebration from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 23400 Park Road 12, Washington, TX, 77880.   Celebrating the rich African American heritage and culture of the Brazos Valley, past and present, the event will occur on the park’s shaded grounds and in the conference centers.

Speakers:
David Buggs, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, TPWD to introduce speakers
Dr. Lila Rakoczy, THC: African American Texans in WWI
Myrtis Dightman Sr: Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee 2016

Musical Performances:
Brandi Pace
The Fantasy Band
The Brown Sugar Band
Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Chorus

Displays:
Underground Railroad Quilt Display
Chappell Hill Hist. Society; Johnnie Swearengin Art Display
Lloyd Mays art display
Buffalo Soldier Museum, Houston Tx
Prairie View Trail Riders Association
Washington Co. Historical Juneteenth Association
Evvaylios Academy School of Beauty: African American Hair-do’s in WWI
Chappell Hill Cultural Society: Juneteenth Display
Brazos Valley African American Museum
Brenham Normal School Exhibit
Texas 10 Historical Group: WWI Exhibit
Brazos Valley Children’s Museum: Kids Craft

Sponsors include H-E-B, Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Rotary Club of Washington County. 

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