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.
Visit Alexandria also recommends 30 Black-owned businesses in Alexandria.
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.”
Recent Stories
At a town hall meeting last Sunday, most City Council members said — in no uncertain terms — that they are opposed to a ward system in Alexandra. Currently, all…
Alexandria is bracing for a federal government shutdown at midnight on Sunday (Oct. 1). The city is preparing a package of services for impacted city residents, should Congress not come…
Shuttles are running between the Potomac Yard Metro station and National Airport Metro station after a derailment this morning. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) said there were no injuries…
Just Listed includes a 1 BD/1 BA freshly painted condo with an in-unit washer/dryer, hardwood floors and built-in cabinetry.
If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.
If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
