The High Point Museum celebrates the Juneteenth holiday with a new outdoor exhibition this weekend titled “Juneteenth: Freedom Day.” The exhibition will be in the Historical Park on Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day and Black Independence Day, Juneteenth is more than the many names it is called. It represents a series of events ending the legal enslavement of African Americans in the U.S. This exhibition explores the historical events related to this holiday and its lasting impact on society.
From the Emancipation Proclamation to the 13thAmendment to the first celebrations in Texas, visitors will get to explore documents and photographs that tell the story of Juneteenth and its path to becoming the 11th U.S. federal holiday.
“This exhibit highlights the importance of Juneteenth, not just in Black history but the collective history of all Americans,” said Curator of Education Sara Blanchett. “It addressed the need to converse about why Juneteenth is as pivotal to the American story as July 4th.”
Additionally, the museum store is selling copies of “My High Point in Black and White with a Dash of Color” by High Point historian Glenn Chavis. Chavis’ book is a collection of the first 100 of 300 articles he wrote for the “News & Record” about his hometown of High Point and its African American history. These articles cover a wide range of topics, from fashion to food to High Point city ordinances.
The exhibition is free and open to the public. Chavis’ book is for sale in the museum store.