Juneteenth

On June 19, 1865, a Union General arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the 30-months late announcement of the end of the enslavement of African Americans in the United States. 155 years later, we commemorate “Juneteenth” to recognize all who struggled and fought, and to remember that the fight for freedom is ongoing.

We have learned about heroic anti-slavery efforts like the signing of the 1688 Germantown Quaker Petition Against Slavery and the presence of the Underground Railroad here in Philadelphia. But many here do not realize that slaves were held in Philadelphia, and that William Penn, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and many other admired historical figures held slaves.

These Juneteenth events will help reveal local histories that are tragic and difficult, as well as histories that are celebratory. All are essential parts of our shared history.

From our friends at Historic Germantown

‘Liberty to Go to See’

from Cliveden

Friday, June 19th, 7 PM to 9 PM

Register HERE

Liberty to Go to See returns virtually on June 19th to celebrate Juneteenth. Inspired by stories found in the Chew Family Papers and based on a script written by Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Liberty to Go to See takes audiences on an intimate journey through the lives of Chew family members and the men and women—black, white, enslaved, and free—who worked for the family from the 1760s to the 1860s.

The Slave Narratives: 401 Years of Resilience

Concord School House and Upper Burying Ground of Germantown

Saturday, June 20th, 10 AM

Enter HERE

2020 represents the 401st anniversary – 1619 – of when enslaved Africans arrived in Point Comfort, Virginia aboard a Dutch ship. They were the first Africans on record to be forcibly settled as involuntary laborers in the North American British Colonies. A Facebook Live Stream by Grounded Theatre Company

Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival on Facebook Live and Zoom

from Johnson House Historic Site

Saturday, June 20th, 12 – 5 pm

Zoom Link HERE, Facebook Live Link HERE

The Johnson House Historic Site, Inc. is Philadelphia’s only accessible and intact stop on the Underground Railroad. During the 19th century, and for several generations beyond The Johnson House was owned by a family of Quaker abolitionists who worked with other European Americans, and African Americans — free and enslaved, to secure safe passage to freedom along the extensive network of clandestine routes and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.