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!

All ages are welcomed at each event. Adult and sensitive content may be discussed. All events are free and open to the public. Registration is requested for all activities. To register, please click on the individual links below to register online or call 717.392.4633 to register over the phone.

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.

Register for Juneteenth Storytime

“Reimagining Freedom:” A Panel Discussion
10:30-11:30am | Southern Market, 100 S. Queen Street, Lancaster
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.

Register for “Reimagining Freedom”

“The Spirit of Freedom” Poetry Performance 
2-4pm | The Stevens & Smith Center
Join LancasterHistory and poet Circumstantial Saint from 2pm-4pm for a Juneteenth-based poetry event discussing freedom, sovereignty, rights, and our collective future through the art of poetry. This celebration welcomes an array of talented local spoken-word performers who will honor the legacy of Juneteenth by focusing on the power of poetry, history, oral storytelling, and community connections. Featured performers include: Sir Dominique Jordan, Chemical X, BryIL, Marcus Levar, Mykah Sunbow, gnosis_bluff, Sel’ Monae, Mahogany Brown, and Circumstantial Saint.

Register for Poetry Performance