Press Release

PHILLY’S ANNUAL JUNETEENTH COMMEMORATION EXPANDS FOR 2006 WITH FOUR DAYS OF EVENTS
With Its Rich African American Heritage, Philadelphia Makes Perfect Spot To Mark Holiday

PHILADELPHIA, May 30, 2006 – Long known as the nation’s Cradle of Liberty, Philadelphia is ramping up this year’s commemoration of Juneteenth, a holiday that marks African Americans’ quest for freedom. Officially taking place on June 19, Juneteenth marks the day when the United States Colored Troops marched into Galveston, Texas in 1865 and informed the nation’s last remaining slaves of their freedom. This year’s reenergized festivities in Philadelphia not only give visitors the chance to participate in four days of parades, tours and other family-friendly activities, but also to explore the arts and cultural institutions that have long showcased the region’s rich African American heritage. Here’s what’s in store:

The Union League 

Photo by C. Purcell for GPTMC

Friday, June 16:

• Drumming Up the Spirits: Historic Walking Tour guides participants through the original site where the first 150 enslaved Africans arrived in Philadelphia. The tour includes stops at historic attractions related to early African American history and culminates at Washington Square, also known as Congo Square, where drumming, dancing and historical re-enactments will take place. 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Columbus Boulevard & Chestnut Streets, (215) 222-8882, www.pennsylvaniajuneteenth.com
  
• Families can explore their connection to Juneteenth at the National Archives Mid Atlantic Region, which contains a wealth of information for tracing African American family history and understanding the larger picture of post-Civil War changes. Following Families to Freedom takes place from 12:00 noon–2:00 p.m. Entrance on Chestnut Street between 9th and 10th Streets, (215) 606-0100, www.archives.gov/midatlantic

Saturday, June 17:

• Founded in 1862 to support the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, The Union League has hosted U.S. presidents, heads of state and visiting dignitaries from around the globe. This tour delves into its Civil War history, its role in Philadelphia and its position as a supporter of African American civil rights during the 1860s and 1870s. 10:00- 11:00 a.m. Broad & Sansom Streets, (215) 563-6500, www.unionleague.org
  
• During visits to Mother Bethel AME Church, the Civil War & Underground Railroad Museum and The Johnson House Historic Site, visitors experience first-person accounts that evoke the moral and spiritual battles of conscience waged by black and white Philadelphians who risked their lives and personal liberty as station masters on the Underground Railroad. The Taking a Stand for Freedom: Philadelphia’s Underground Railroad trolley tour runs at 9:30 a.m. every third Saturday of the month from June 17 through October. 5th & Market Streets, (215) 389-TOUR, gophila.com/neighborhoodtours
  
• The Johnson House Historic Site hosts an encampment of the Third United States Colored Troops, who will demonstrate how they recruited and trained new soldiers to fight for the Union cause. Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglas re-enactors will be on hand to help. 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Germantown Avenue & Washington Lane, (215) 438-1768, www.johnsonhouse.org

Sunday, June 18:

• The annual Freedom Celebration Parade and Family Festival begins with a procession at the All Wars Memorial at 20th and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and ends at the Lincoln Statue in Fairmount Park. Following the parade, there will be a fun-filled day of activities, including art, music, dance, poetry, food vendors and more. 11:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. (215) 222-8882, www.pennsylvaniajuneteenth.com
  
• For Freedom in Life & Death: The Civil War History Buried at Laurel Hill tells the stories of General Thomas Kane, who served as an agent on the Underground Railroad, and Colonel Alexander Cummings, the Superintendent of Troops of African Descent in Arkansas. These men and others like them are the focus of this tour commemorating Juneteenth and the Civil War at historic Laurel Hill Cemetery. 2:00-4:00 p.m. 3822 Ridge Avenue, (215) 228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org

Monday, June 19:

• An afternoon Inside the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) celebrates Philadelphia’s African American past with a look at rarely seen items from the HSP collections, including the Emancipation Proclamation, William Still’s original Underground Railroad diary and selections from the Pennsylvania Abolition Society papers. During a panel discussion, local experts explore the history and legacies of African American history in Philadelphia. 2:00-5:00 p.m. 1300 Locust Street, (215) 732-6200, www.hsp.org
  
• The African American Museum in Philadelphia’s Juneteenth commemoration features one of the only official copies of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abraham Lincoln. The program includes a reading of the document by children from the Freedom Theater, historical re-enactments and a military honor guard. 12:00 noon- 2:00 p.m. 701 Arch Street, (215) 574-0380, www.aampmuseum.org

For more information about Juneteenth events, Philadelphia and the Civil War, visit www.civilwarconsortium.org/juneteenth.

A Pennsylvania Underground Railroad Colloquium Partner, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside™ a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery. On the pressroom, you can also subscribe to RSS feeds to receive updates on topics that are specifically of interest to you: What’s New, Dining, Events, Seasonal Travel, Hotel Packages and Tourism Research.

CONTACT:

Rosalyn McPherson
(215) 563-6042, mcphersonroz@aol.com

Jeff Guaracino
(215) 599-2290, jeff@gptmc.com

Related RSS Feeds

Topic	XML Feeds
What's New This feed will be updated whenever any new content is added to Gophila.com’s Press Room. It includes all topics.
Seasonal Travel Holiday events, fall foliage, summer happenings, etc.
Events Special exhibitions, shows, festivals, annual events and ongoing happenings.

What is RSS?