In observance of Juneteenth, the commemoration of the day when word of emancipation finally reached the enslaved people of Texas, fully ending slavery in the US, Mayor Jim Kenney has declared June 19 a citywide holiday. Although the city has just officially recognized the holiday, it is not new to the Germantown community.Â
Germantown’s Johnson House Historic Site has celebrated with the Juneteenth Festival for 14 years on the 6300 block Germantown Avenue. But this year, the Johnson House is going virtual. On Saturday, June 20, the Johnson House will host their annual festival on Zoom and Facebook.Â
Their virtual program is from noon to 5 p.m. Participants will learn about the Johnson House history and involvement in the Underground Railroad, and view dramatic presentations, live music and a panel discussion highlighting New York Times reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner Nicole Hannah-Jones and her 1619 project.
The 1619 project is an ongoing New York Times Magazine piece which reexamines slavery and it’s legacy. Information on how to sign up for the virtual Johnson House Juneteenth event can be found here.
There is also an opportunity for residents who want to celebrate Juneteenth in person. Our House Culture Center and Custom Arts Studio is sponsoring an all-day event Saturday from 1 to 10 p.m.
The event features three programs; the screening of 13th, a documentary by Ava Duvernay from 1 to 3 p.m., vision board making with custom arts from 4 to 6 p.m., and a game night from 7 to 10 p.m. Only 20 guests will be allowed to RSVP for each event.
The event will take place at Our House Culture Center , 6376-6380 Germantown Ave. Sponsors encourage those interested to register at Eventbrite.