There are plenty of ways to honor Juneteenth this holiday weekend, from supporting Black-owned businesses to music to celebrating the opening of the Freedom House Museum.
Juneteenth is Sunday, June 19 (the federal holiday is Monday, June 20). The holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States and it is the United States' newest federal holiday.
Here are a few events:
Story Time with the Black History Museum
Saturday June 18, 11 - 11:30 a.m. at Charles Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
The Alexandria Black History Museum and the Alexandria Library invite you to a collaborative event featuring Lillian Patterson. The event is geared toward children ages 3-6.
Juneteenth Jubilee, featuring Culture Queen
Saturday June 18, 12 - 1 p.m. at Charles Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
Join Grammy-nominated performer Culture Queen for an interactive musical storytelling show. All ages.
Juneteenth at the Art Center
Torpedo Factory Art Center
Join artists at the Art Center for a shared community space in the Grand Hall to create artistic messages.
Jubilee Voices, "Juneteenth: Singing the Journey"
Sunday June 19, 3 - 4 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St.
Join Jubilee Voices and the Office of Historic Alexandria for a concert. Jubilee Voices will perform a lively, interactive performance featuring traditional African American music, dance and spoken word that traces the history of African Americans from enslavement to freedom.
Freedom House Museum Grand Opening
Monday June 20, 6 - 7:30 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Worship Center, 1401 Jamieson Ave.
Join the City of Alexandria for the grand opening of the Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street on Monday, June 20 at 6 p.m. at the Shiloh Baptist Worship Center. As part of the City’s Juneteenth events, the grand opening marks the notable story and transition for this National Historic Landmark in Alexandria on the national stage. All are welcome.
Virginia State Delegate Delores McQuinn (70th District - Richmond), a critical leader for the Commonwealth’s African American initiatives, will provide the keynote address. Additionally, the program will feature remarks by Mayor Justin Wilson, Alexandria Black History Museum Director Audrey Davis, Former Alexandria City Manager Mark Jinks, Northern Virginia Urban League Board Chair Letty Maxwell, and City Poet Laureate Zeina Azzam.
To the end the event, a powerful recitation of the earliest list of men, women, and children trafficked from Alexandria to New Orleans associated with 1315 Duke Street in 1828 will be lifted up.
Freedom House Museum Extended Hours
1315 Duke Street
The museum will have extended hours on June 20 from 1 - 5:30 p.m. The museum is regularly open to the public Thursday and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays and Mondays from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per child ages 5–12, and free for City of Alexandria residents. Due to high demand and limited capacity, reserve tickets in advance online.
