Home Plate
Register now, to join the Juneteenth celebration at the Atlanta History Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024!
On June 19, 1865, Union troops in Galveston, Texas, announced the end of the Civil War and informed the enslaved people there of their freedom. This long-overdue message had been delayed by Texas enslavers who ignored the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Since then, this momentous day has been commemorated as Juneteenth, marking liberation and a new beginning for those enslaved in Texas.
Signed into law as a federal holiday by President Joe Biden in 2021, today, Juneteenth serves as a holiday to reflect on our nation's history and commemorate emancipation. It is also a time to celebrate the impact of Black culture on American society at large. One significant way this influence is seen is through food with Southern food traditions, born from African American innovation, becoming central to American cuisine.
This year's Juneteenth event celebrates Black culinary history and America's pastime, baseball. Through on-campus events, cooking demonstrations, museum theater, and exhibitions, including More Than Brave: The Life of Henry Aaron and Barbecue Nation, we highlight Juneteenth's legacy and underscore the joyous union of family, food, and community.
Bring your water bottles, blankets, lawn chairs, and anything else your family needs to be comfortable on the lawn as you join us to celebrate Juneteenth.
Details
This event is suitable for people of all ages. Pre-registration is optional but highly recommended to expedite the check-in process. In the event of inclement weather, our entire Juneteenth program will take place indoors.
Although this is a free public program, donations are greatly appreciated and can be made via the registration link above. Your donation will help offset the cost of this event and help fund future Juneteenth programs. We thank you for your support!
This program is part of Atlanta History Center’s celebration of the Civic Season, a nationwide initiative encouraging historically-informed civic participation through a two-week activation between Juneteenth and July 4th.
Transportation
Download The Buc app for free rides to and from the Buckhead and Lenox MARTA stations. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available upon request.
Accessibility
Atlanta History Center Buckhead campus is ADA-Compliant.
Join us for an interactive tasting inspired by “Watermelon & Red Birds Cookbook: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebration” by James Beard Award nominee Nicole A. Taylor.
Learn MoreFor Juneteenth, our partners at Birds Georgia is leading a bird walk through the Atlanta History Center's 33-acre birding hotspot. Join members of Birds Georgia for a special walk through Goizueta Gardens.
Learn MorePlan Your Day
| Activity | Description | Time | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timed Activities Note: Refer to Upper and Lower Swan Lawn for additional timed activities | Freedom Flavors: Aleck’s Legacy Museum Theater | Set against the backdrop of the iconic Aleck’s Barbecue Heaven in Atlanta, Freedom Flavors: Aleck’s Legacy is a museum-theater experience that transports audiences to a time when barbecue served as a beacon of freedom and community. | 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2pm | Gatheround Exhibit |
| Folktales and Interactive Storytelling with Mama Koku | All ages are encouraged to indulge their imaginations and nurture their spirits as Mama Koku brings to life African and African American folktales through captivating performances. | 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm | Museum Terraces | |
| Gardens Tour | Join Atlanta History Center’s Urban Agriculturalist for a tour of the Enslaved People’s Garden. Learn about garden design, the history of the crops that made up the foodways of enslaved communities, and how these gardens were used as a form of resistance. | 11am, 12pm, 1pm | Smith Farm | |
| Fruits of Our Labor Register Here Note: This is an outdoor experience and pre-paid, ticketed event | James Beard Award-nominated food writer, home chef, and producer, Nicole Taylor, will provide a pre-paid interactive tasting inspired by her cookbook, Watermelon & Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebration, through meals and drinks that carry the patina of endurance. | 11am–12pm & 1–2pm | Swan House Boxwood Gardens | |
| Archives Open House | Be inspired by America's favorite pastime, African American food culture and gardening traditions, and the Veterans History Project through guided explorations led by Kenan Research Center. Hear veteran voices, see rare photographs of Negro League baseball in Atlanta, browse historic and new cookbooks, and an array of gardening volumes, from foraging and flowers to landscape design and vegetables to highlight Georgia’s historical legacies. | 11am, 12pm, 1pm | Kenan Research Center (McElreath Hall) | |
| Medicine in the Garden | Join Atlanta History Center’s Certified Herbalist and Senior Horticulturist to learn about the rich cultural history of African American herbal medicine, modern uses of cultivated and foraged herbs, and watch demonstrations of herbal tea preparations including peppermint, lemon balm, and others. | 1pm, 2pm, 3pm | Wood Cabin | |
| Ongoing Activities Note: Refer to Upper and Lower Swan Lawn for additional ongoing activities | Juneteenth Introduction Video | Ground yourself in the day’s celebrations as you discover the journey of the Black diaspora through the lens of food and family. | 10am–2pm | Kennedy Theater |
| Civic Season Booth | Discover the activist in you by participating in our Civic Season, celebrated from Juneteenth to July 4th by communities across the country. Vote on popular variations of beloved meals, record memorable experiences surrounding food, and learn about the origins of Black culinary heritage. | 10am–2pm | Gatheround Exhibit (Will move to Lower Swan Lawn at 2pm) | |
| Signature Seasonings | Whether you like it sweet, savory, or spicy, engage your culinary senses by creating a dry rub while learning its use in enhancing smoked meats and the art of barbecue. | 10am–2pm | Atrium | |
| Barbecue Nation Exhibition | Visit Barbecue Nation, an exhibit that explores the history of barbecue and how this cooking technique inspires cuisines both on and off the grill. | 10am–2pm | Rountree Visual Vault | |
| Community Outreach | Volunteers from the Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, INC., will be giving away free children’s books covering various Black history topics. | 10am–2pm | Exhibition Hallway (Will move to Lower Swan Lawn at 2pm) | |
| More Than Brave: The Life of Henry Aaron Exhibition | Step into More Than Brave, an exhibit that uncovers the story of Henry Aaron and his life as a leader in baseball, business, and charitable causes. | 10am–2pm | Nicholson Gallery | |
| Quilting-up Cuisines | Learn from Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild as they share African American culture through quilting, a longstanding tradition in the Black community. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in make-and-take quilt pieces. | 10am–2pm | Grand Overlook Ballroom | |
| Food from the Soil | Journey through the origins of agriculture. Observe harvesting, cooking, and even preserving to learn how food impacts our daily lives and how it is used in northern Georgia. | 11am–3:30pm | Smith Farm | |
| Audioscape | This unique experience invites visitors to discover the profound connection between African Americans and the land, showcasing how they ingeniously used nature for survival and prosperity. | 12–3pm | Boardwalk in Goizueta Gardens | |
| Upper Swan Lawn Activities (Front Door Side of Swan House and Swan Driveway) | Kids Activities | Head to the lawn to enjoy a variety of activities including an obstacle course, Swan House baseball scavenger hunt, and field games! | l11am–3pm | Upper Swan Lawn |
| Backyard Baseball | Batter up! Join former Chicago Cubs player and youth baseball coach C.J. Stewart from L.E.A.D. Center for Youth for a baseball fundamentals workshop for children ages 5-12. Test your skills and see if you have what it takes to join the major leagues. | 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 2:15pm | Upper Swan Lawn | |
| Lower Swan Lawn Activities (Fountain Side of Swan House) | DJ | Join us on the lawn for line dancing, musical chairs, and trivia as DJ Bad keeps us moving to the music! | 11:30am–3pm | Lower Swan Lawn |
| Lawn Games | Get outside and play Double Dutch, giant Jenga, Connect 4, and other lawn games. Also, kids can try their skills at an inflatable baseball experience. | 12–4pm | Lower Swan Lawn | |
| Facepainting | Facepainting by India will entertain you with unique creations. | 12–4pm | Lower Swan Lawn | |
| Yoga with DeKeely Atkins | Join DeKeely of Form Yoga for a restorative stretching session on Swan Lawn. A limited number of blankets will be available; otherwise, bring your own mat or enjoy going barefoot in the grass. | 1:20–1:40pm | Lower Swan Lawn | |
| Black National Anthem | Join us for a vocal performance of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” performed by Maiesha McQueen. In 1900, this poetic hymn was written and composed by brothers James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson, both NAACP activists, as a celebration of the past, present, and future Black experience. | 2pm | Lower Swan Lawn | |
| Southern Komfort Brass Band | Southern Komfort Brass Band will close out the event with music that will make you want to move your feet. | 3–4pm | Lower Swan Lawn | |
| Food & Drink | Food Truck Park | Choose your favorite delicious Southern bite from an assortment of barbeque, desserts, and more! Meal items are available for purchase while supplies last. | 11am–3:30pm | Swan House Parking Lot (Across from McElreath Hall) |
| Bar | Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase, including a signature Red Drink. | 11am–4pm | Lower Swan Lawn | |
| Hospitality | Water Stations | All Day | Museum Terraces, Smith Farm, and Swan House | |
| First Aid | All Day | Swan House Lawn and Exhibition Hall | ||
| Nursing Room | A private room for nursing parents, located near the sensory-friendly space and additional restrooms. | All Day | Classrooms (enter through Gatheround exhibition) | |
| Sensory Friendly Room | Indoor A quiet place with kids’ books and sensory toys, along with restroom access. Outdoor Quiet places in our gardens for kids to enjoy the outdoors in a tranquil environment. | All Day | Indoor Classrooms (Enter through Gatheround exhibition) Outdoor Olguita’s Garden and Asian Garden | |
| Information Desk | All Day | Atlanta History Museum front desk |