Staunton Juneteenth events focused on education Saturday and Sunday

Patrick Hite, Staunton News Leader
Updated ·3 min read
Getting people registered to vote at the 2022 Shenandoah Valley Juneteenth celebration at Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia.
Getting people registered to vote at the 2022 Shenandoah Valley Juneteenth celebration at Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia.

STAUNTON — Juneteenth has only been an official state holiday in Virginia since then Gov. Ralph Northam signed the legislation on Oct. 13, 2020. Staunton, however, has been celebrating with events since 2017 when Sheila Ahmadi and George Hunter founded Shenandoah Valley Juneteenth.

"We took it upon ourselves to make people aware of what Juneteenth means," Hunter said.

The holiday has its origins in June 19, 1865, the day the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, learned they were free when Union general Gordon Granger arrived with 2,000 troops and issued an order ending slavery in Texas. It had been 10 weeks since Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, ending the Civil War, and more than two years since President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.

Although long celebrated in the African American community, the significance of Juneteenth is still unknown among many in the United States.

This year's celebration in Staunton will be focused more on education and less about entertainment. Hunter said that's an effort to help people learn more about the holiday.

"Our goal is to educate people on what they're not aware of," Hunter said.

Activities in Staunton will take place Saturday in Montgomery Hall Park and Sunday at the Frontier Culture Museum

Staunton Juneteenth events schedule

Saturday, June 17

  • Juneteenth commemoration presented by Shenandoah Valley Juneteenth

  • 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Montgomery Hall Park

  • 11 a.m. The History and Evolution of Montgomery Hall Park by Sheila Ahmadi

  • 3 p.m. "Was Harriet Tubman the first Navy Seal?" with special guest Moonyene Jackson-Amis

  • After the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman was commissioned by Governor Andrew of Massachusetts to aid the Union Army during the Civil War. Jackson-Amis recounts the triumphs of Tubman, especially her lesser known part of the Union Army as the first and only woman then and now to lead military men into bold raid into enemy territory.

Sunday, June 18

  • Shenandoah Valley Juneteenth

  • 2-4:30 p.m. at the Frontier Culture Museum, dairy barn lecture hall

  • The Shenandoah Valley Juneteenth, together with the Staunton Education Foundation and the Frontier Culture Museum, will be marking Juneteenth with a special tribute to Fathers.

  • "Two Hearts — One Mission," the story of and tribute to the life and legacy of William A. and Queen Elizabeth Miller, founders of the Queen Miller Home in Staunton where over 300 orphans were raised. Teller: Moonyene Jackson-Amis

Monday, June 19

  • Juneteenth Celebration at the Green Room, Beverley Street

  • Open mic night 7:30-9 p.m.

  • Organized by Kalea + Constance, the evening is dedicated to rebirth, resilience and reconciliation with celebration of black voices, arts, efforts and networks.

City of Staunton Juneteenth schedules

Administrative Office Hours

  • The City of Staunton’s administrative offices will be closed on Monday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, June 20.

Refuse Collection

  • Residential: Residential trash regularly scheduled for pickup on Monday, June 19, will be collected on Wednesday, June 21.

  • Downtown Central Business District (CBD): All CBD customers will receive trash collection on Wednesday, June 21, and the regularly scheduled Saturday, June 24.

Recycling Center Hours

  • The Recycling Center will be closed Monday, June 19, and will reopen with regular hours on Tuesday, June 20.

Parks and Recreation

  • The main offices of parks and recreation, located at Montgomery Hall Park, will be closed on Monday, June 19. Summer camps will be closed; however, pools at both Montgomery Hall Park and Gypsy Hill Park will be open regular hours. For additional information, visit www.ci.staunton.va.us/recreation.

Library Hours

  • The Staunton Public Library will be closed on Monday, June 19, and return to its normal schedule on Tuesday, June 20. The outdoor book drop will be open for returns, and digital books and other online resources are available 24/7 at www.StauntonLibrary.org.

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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Staunton Juneteenth events focused on education Saturday and Sunday