Since 2013, Atlanta History Center has hosted an annual Juneteenth commemoration that connects visitors to this essential moment in national history.
Juneteenth is a celebration marking the end of enslavement in the United States.
On June 19, 1865, a group of Union troops stopped in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved people that the Civil War was over, the Confederacy was defeated, and enslaved people in Texas were free. Though Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, many slaveholders still refused to comply. A full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after Richmond fell, the last enslaved African Americans in Texas were declared free people. That momentous date in 1865 has been proclaimed Juneteenth and has been celebrated annually since then.
Today, Juneteenth serves as a holiday to reflect on our nation’s history, commemorate emancipation, and look towards the future impact of Black culture and community. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Join us on June 18 as we celebrate Juneteenth 2023 (and Father’s Day) by honoring the history of Black genealogy and agricultural practices. This year's event promises to be a truly immersive experience featuring live music, powerful storytelling, interactive crafts, and delicious food.
Our workshops and talks will provide valuable insights into the history of Juneteenth and offer tips on how to research your family tree and preserve family artifacts.
Plan Your Day.
| Activity | Description | Time | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timed Activities | Bird Walk in the Gardens Register Now | It’s a little-known fact that Goizueta Gardens is a birding hotspot; over a hundred species of birds have been sighted on campus. Our outdoor spaces contain an exciting mix of natural and curated landscapes. This birding trip is recommended for beginner birders and families with children over 10. Binoculars will be provided. This event is ticketed and limited to 20 guests for each time slot. | 8 and 10am | Goizueta Gardens |
| Preservation Tips & Tricks: Photos, Textiles, & Furniture | Join our archives staff as they share tips and tricks to preserve and store your photos and heirloom textiles and furniture. A short presentation will be followed by a Q&A. Handouts with condensed information on how to care for different material types will be available to pick up before and after the presentation. | 11:15am–12pm | Woodruff Auditorium (McElreath Hall) | |
| Tour of the Gardens | The Goizueta Gardens team will explore how enslaved people gardened in the antebellum South. We will also discuss West African influences on gardening, cultural exchanges between enslaved and Native people, & the medicinal use of plants. | 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm | Smith Farm | |
| Museum Theater Piece: Free in the Name Only | Join us for a 20-minute museum theater performance written by Aaron R. Bonds and directed by Charity Jordan. We will explore the connections between the Reconstruction period and today, through the lens of a single family’s experience. This performance will be followed by a brief talk-back discussion about Juneteenth. | 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm | Smith Farm Enslaved People’s Cabin | |
| Tea & Talk with Dr. D.L. Henderson Register Now | Cherokee Garden Library of Kenan Research Center presents Gardens and Cultural Landscapes of Black America: A Tea & Talk with Dr. D.L. Henderson. Dr. Henderson will discuss a new digital collection at the Cherokee Garden Library: Gardens and Cultural Landscapes of Black America visual arts materials. Tea and light refreshments will be provided. This event is ticketed and limited to 35 guests. | 12–2pm | Draper Room (McElreath Hall) | |
| Forsyth County: Descendants Panel | The Digital Storytelling team will host a panel with three descendants of expelled Black residents of Forsyth County, Elon Osby, Charles Grogan, and Chase Evans, and author of Blood at the Root, Patrick Phillips. The panel will discuss Digital Storytelling’s ongoing project collecting the oral histories of descendants of Forsyth County’s expelled Black residents, the importance of family oral history preservation, and sneak peek listening session to our Digital Storytelling podcast. | 12:30–1:30pm | Woodruff Auditorium (McElreath Hall) | |
| Black Genealogy Talk | Certified genealogist, Elyse Hill, will present the beginning steps for African American genealogy geared at helping Black families learn tools to conduct independent research. Hill has 20 years of experience in African American genealogy research, specializing in developing family trees. | 2–3pm | Woodruff Auditorium (McElreath Hall) | |
| Folktales & Interactive Storytelling with LaDoris Bias-Davis | All ages are encouraged to indulge their imaginations and nurture their spirits as Ms. Bias-Davis brings to life Gullah Geechee tales, African American folktales, and more. | 11–11:30am, 12–12:30pm, 1–1:30pm, 2–2:30pm | Museum Terraces (Atlanta History Museum Building) | |
| Ongoing Activities | Juneteenth Introduction Video | Learn about the roots of Juneteenth and explore what the holiday means today. | 10am–2pm | Kennedy Theater (Atlanta History Museum Building) |
| Bagley Park Pop-Up Exhibition | The Digital Storytelling Team has worked with community partner Elon Osby to exhibit artifacts related to William Bagley and Bagley Park, a historically Black Buckhead neighborhood demolished in the early 1950s to create a public park. Osby is the granddaughter of William Bagley, the unofficial mayor of Bagley Park. | 10am–2pm | Nicholson Gallery (Atlanta History Museum Building) | |
| Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild | Learn from Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild members as they lead demonstrations, provide make-and-take quilting activities, deliver insightful presentations, and showcase their work. They will share the heritage of quilting through various mediums and methods. | 10am–2pm | Grand Overlook Ballroom (Atlanta History Museum Building) | |
| Kids’ Crafts | Stop and smell the flowers! Kids can create a foam craft to take home by choosing their favorite color petals, designing flowers, and decorating a faux flowerpot. This craft is for children of all ages. | 10am–2pm | Exhibition Hallway (Atlanta History Museum Building) | |
| Family & Community Photos | Capture memories with friends and family with one of our roaming photographers | Atrium | ||
| Swan Lawn Activities (Fountain Side of Swan House) | Collective Painting: Arts Alley | Join with other visitors to complete several paint-by-number canvases based on our theme Planted, designed and curated by Paint Love. While there, you can also experience other Arts Alley activities, including music and dancing. | 10am–2pm | Swan Driveway |
| Lawn Games | Get outside and play: giant checkers, bubble wands, Ultimate Twister, big Connect 4, cornhole, spikeball, and toss and catch! | 12–4pm | Swan Lawn | |
| Civic Season Booth | There are many ways to pitch in when it comes to shaping the future of our nation. Stop by to take the Civic Superpower quiz and learn about historical figures who were like you, and to learn about Civic Season, celebrated from Juneteenth to July 4th by communities across the country. | 12–4pm | Swan Lawn | |
| Facepainting | Facepainting by India will entertain you with unique creations. | 12–4pm | Swan Lawn | |
| Yoga with DeKeely Atkins | Start our Juneteenth lawn festivities with DeKeely of Form Yoga. A limited number of blankets will be available; otherwise, bring your own mat or enjoy going barefoot in the grass. | 12:15–12:35pm | Swan Lawn | |
| Southern Komfort Brass Band | The Second Line band, Southern Komfort Brass Band will close out the event with music that will make you want to move your feet. | 3–4pm | Swan Lawn | |
| Food & Drink | Credit Card Bar | Beat the heat and grab your favorite libation. Serving non-alcoholic options, including soft drinks, sparkling water, and juice. Alcoholic beverages include beer, wine, and a signature Juneteenth rum punch. | 12–4pm | Museum Terraces and Swan House Lawn |
| Food Trucks | Choose your pick of delicious Southern bites from The Funnel Cake Guys and Soul Truckin’ Good. Meal items are available while supplies last. | 12–4pm | Swan House Parking Lot (across from McElreath Hall) | |
| Water Stations | All Day | McElreath Hall, Atlanta History Museum building (near restrooms) | ||
| 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 | All Day | Classrooms (enter through Gatheround exhibition) | ||
| Information Desk | All Day | Atlanta History Museum front desk and Swan House Lawn | ||
| Pop Up Shops | All Day | Museum Terraces and Swan House Lawn |
Atlanta History Center is working with Elon Osby to exhibit artifacts related to Bagley Park, a historically Black Buckhead neighborhood demolished in the early 1950s. Osby is the granddaughter of William Bagley, a Black resident who fled Forsyth County in 1912 and became the unofficial mayor of Bagley Park.
The exhibition will be on display at Atlanta History Center June 18–July 8, 2023.
Juneteenth 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.
Learn MoreJoin WABE's Closer Look with Rose Scott LIVE from Atlanta History Center in celebration of the Juneteenth holiday from 12:30–2pm on Friday, June 16.
Register NowUncover your family's roots at Atlanta History Center's Kenan Research Center! From personal records to online catalogs, we provide resources for researching African American ancestry. Book an appointment and dive into your history today!
Learn moreReduce waste, enrich your garden, and create a valuable resource. At Goizueta Gardens, composting is key to our sustainable garden management. Follow our beginner's guide to start composting today.
Learn moreAt the end of the Civil War, millions of enslaved people living in the United States became free. “Freedom Across Georgia” explores the experiences of six formerly enslaved people from Georgia and their individual stories of freedom.
Learn moreVendors
2022. Look Back.
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Family. Focused.
Juneteenth offers families an opportunity to talk about freedom and the experiences of African-Americans in the United States—and reading is a great way to explore these topics.
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Lift Every Voice. Playlist.
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