For Alexandria, Juneteenth is a day for rejoicing and reflection.
June 19 recognizes the emancipation of slaves in the United States, and the country’s second Independence Day is now a federal holiday. All City government offices will be closed on Monday (June 21) in observance of Juneteenth.
Alexandria’s roots with slavery run deep, and the city is hosting a number of events throughout the weekend.
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The City is hosting the following Juneteenth events:
Story Time with the Black History Museum
Saturday, June 18, from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Charles Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street)Juneteenth Jubilee, featuring Grammy nominee Culture Queen
Saturday, June 18, 12 to 1 p.m.
Charles Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street)Jubilee Voices, “Juneteenth: Singing the Journey”
Sunday June 19, from 3 to 4 p.m.
Market Square (301 King Street)
With performances by the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices ensembleJuneteenth at the Torpedo Factory Art Center
Sunday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Guests and artists will create Juneteenth-related messages to their loved ones
Freedom House grand opening
On Monday, June 20, the City will celebrate the grand reopening of the Freedom House Museum with a 6 p.m. event at Shiloh Baptist Worship Center (1401 Jamieson Avenue).
During the 19th century, the museum (1315 Duke Street) was home to the Franklin and Armfield Office, where thousands of Black men, women and children were trafficked as slaves.
“As part of the City’s Juneteenth events, the grand opening marks the official debut of this National Historic Landmark in Alexandria and its notable story and transition,” the City said. “Slavery, race-based laws, and racial terror erased and diminished African American history and contributions from the national narrative. This Museum seeks to reframe white supremacist history.”
