Celebrating Juneteenth at Oakland
When you think of Independence Day, you might picture hot dogs, red, white, and blue decorations, and summer parties—all in the name of celebrating freedom. But the story of freedom in America is bigger than fireworks and flags. While Independence Day commemorates America's independence from Great Britain in 1776, many were still not free.
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, but it could not be enforced in the Confederate states. In 1865, US troops finally reached Galveston, Texas, the westernmost Confederate state. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger issued General Order Number 3, a proclamation informing the state's remaining 250,000 enslaved people that they were free.
Juneteenth is the federal holiday that commemorates that moment and the freedom it brought to those who had remained enslaved.
As a nonprofit with the mission of preserving and sharing the complex history of Atlanta, recognizing Juneteenth is an important part of acknowledging our nation's history, celebrating Atlanta’s Black history, and sharing the progress that has been made toward equality. This year’s Juneteenth programming honors the generations that suffered under enslavement, shares the origins of Juneteenth, and celebrates Atlanta’s rich legacy of Black history, culture, and achievement
That's why we're excited to host a Juneteenth-themed Finally, Friday event, a family-friendly evening that highlights Black history at Oakland through interactive experiences including tours, children's activities, a documentary screening, and more.
To shine a light on the significance of Juneteenth, we asked members of a few different departments at Historic Oakland Foundation to share what the holiday means to them and how visitors can engage with Juneteenth at Oakland and beyond
Oakland’s Director of Education & Youth Programs Ted Ward highlights the importance of celebrating Juneteenth:
"As a lifelong history educator, I have always worked to illustrate the totality of history, not just that which is filtered through the lens of a textbook. The elevation of Juneteenth as a national holiday signifies the importance of African American liberation in the annals of American history and provides young learners with a chance to reflect on the long road toward equality and justice in the United States while also recognizing the obstacles and challenges that still persist."
While Juneteenth provides a natural opportunity to highlight the stories of Black Atlantans, Oakland shares these histories year-round through educational programming for both children and adults, from Black History Month Homeschool Days to monthly We Shall Overcome tours.
More of a DIY-learner? Stop by the Oakland Store and browse our collection of books that illuminate Black history, including On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reedand I Can’t Wait to Call You My Wife by Rita Roberts. Reading these books reminds us that behind every grave at Oakland, both marked and unmarked, lies a unique individual story that deserves to be told.
And what about gardens? The blooms you see throughout Oakland aren't chosen at random. They are carefully cultivated to honor specific stories, traditions, and ideas.
The Historic African American Burial Grounds, which were restored in 2022, are maintained by a team of full-time horticulturists and volunteers, led by Director of Horticulture Abra Lee.
"We connect our work in the historic African American section to Juneteenth through the spirit of freedom," says Abra. "Freedom to garden on your own terms, design on your own terms, use color combinations and textures on your own terms without permission or by the book. The Black women who inspired these gardens wrote their own rules and prioritized beauty, and we actively discuss that as a team."
How Can I Celebrate Juneteenth?
There are plenty of opportunities to celebrate Juneteenth in Atlanta, whether through community events, educational programs, local businesses, or historical sites.
We invite you to join us at Oakland as we honor this important day and the stories of resilience, liberation, and community! While We Shall Be Free: A Spirited Juneteenth Tour is currently sold out, other activities including Juneteenth flag-making for children, a screening of Maynard, live music, and more, are free to attend with no tickets required.
Here are a few of our favorite local events!
Juneteenth at Finally, Friday - June 19 from 6-9PM
Take part in an immersive tour highlighting Black Atlantans buried at Oakland (tickets required) or enjoy a free screening of Maynard, a documentary about Atlanta’s first African American mayor and Oakland resident Maynard Jackson. Plus, enjoy food trucks and hands-on activities for kids celebrating Black history, freedom, and equality.
