WILLIAMSBURG — The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation announced its lineup of Juneteenth programming featuring acclaimed poets, storytellers and artisans who will “illuminate the significance of this national holiday.”
The events will take place June 16-19 at various locations throughout Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area and Art Museums, and visitors can pre-register for complimentary admission.
According to the foundation, at the heart of the programming are three artists — Nikki Giovanni, Darryl Reeves and Sheila Arnold — each of whom brings “a unique perspective and talent to captivate audiences and deepen their understanding of Juneteenth.”
“We are honored to host such esteemed artists who will offer visitors a rich and immersive Juneteenth experience,” said Cliff Fleet, Foundation president and CEO. “This programming not only commemorates an important moment in American history but also celebrates the resilience and triumph of the human spirit.”
Nikki Giovanni, a world-renowned poet, activist and educator, will deliver the keynote address at the Juneteenth Sunrise Service on Sunday, June 16, at 6 a.m. under the iconic Compton Oak in the center of the Historic Area. Known for her powerful words and unwavering commitment to social justice, Giovanni’s presence will inspire and empower attendees as they reflect on the significance of Juneteenth, the foundation said.
Master Blacksmith Darryl Reeves, who the foundation bills as the most celebrated architectural blacksmith in the Gulf South, will return to the Public Armoury on June 18 and 19 to demonstrate the traditions of New Orleans’ 18th- and 19th-century African American ironworkers.
Reeves and his apprentice, Karina Roca, will work with Colonial Williamsburg Master Blacksmith, Ken Schwarz, to replicate an iron grave marker forged by enslaved Louisiana blacksmith Solomon Williams.
Williams made several iron grave markers for family members in the 19th-century, one of which is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History.
And on June 17 at 1 p.m. in the Hennage Auditorium in the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, Reeves and Roca will join Jonn Hankins, head of the New Orleans Master Crafts Guild, for a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities in the field of Historic Preservation and the restoration trades.
Sheila Arnold, an award-winning storyteller and historical interpreter, will lead engaging storytelling and discussion sessions including Portraying the Ancestors on June 18 and Permission to Be Free: A Juneteenth Story on June 19, both of which will take place at 1 p.m. in the Hennage Auditorium.
Through her insight into the complexity of portraying enslaved women in historical narratives and her captivating performances, Arnold invites audiences to explore the intersection of art and history, the foundation said.
In addition to these featured artists, Colonial Williamsburg’s Juneteenth programming will include a variety of interactive workshops, exhibitions and community gatherings. From educational seminars to live performances, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and learn from, according to the foundation.
Colonial Williamsburg’s programming will coincide with other Juneteenth activities across the region coordinated by the Juneteenth Community Consortium, an association of organizations throughout Greater Williamsburg founded in early 2022 with a goal to educate, commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth.
Visit juneteenthcc.org/events for a full list of programming taking place throughout the region June 15-19. Visitors can pre-register for complimentary admission on June 19 in honor of Juneteenth at colonialwilliamsburg.org/
History of Juneteenth
Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when thousands of enslaved people received the news that they were emancipated after Union forces arrived in Galveston, Texas to enact President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation signed more than two years earlier.
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday.
As Juneteenth continues to gain recognition across the nation, Colonial Williamsburg said it is inviting visitors “to commemorate those lost to slavery, examine the struggle faced by Black Americans today and continue our unfinished work to create a more perfect union.”
