On June 19, 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved people in Texas finally received word: They were free.

Join LancasterHistory and the Lancaster Branch of the NAACP for a gathering and celebration of the Juneteenth holiday.

Juneteenth Storytime: A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor, Read by Taniyah King
10:30am | The Stevens & Smith Center
Join LancasterHistory’s Education Department at the Stevens & Smith Center for an engaging story time to celebrate Juneteenth! After the flag raising at City Hall, we invite families with young children (ages 4-12) to come down the block to E. Vine Street to learn more about the history of this special holiday. After the story, we will have a craft, and families are welcome to explore the Center. Storytime and admission to the center are free on Juneteenth. Registration is requested as capacity is limited.

“Reimagining Freedom”: A Panel Discussion
10:30am-11:30am | Southern Market, 100 S Queen Street
After the Juneteenth flag raising at City Hall, we invite you to join us at Southern Market for a discussion of freedom, civic engagement, and leadership today, elevating the voices of students and community leaders. Panelists will include Dr. Leroy Hopkins, Professor Emeritus, Millersville University, Sandra Brown, Community Representative of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority & Retired School District of Lancaster Educator and students from Advantage Lancaster. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Danielle Brown, Education Chair of the NAACP Lancaster.