JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION SATURDAY AT WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS

  

The Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site will celebrate Juneteenth tomorrow (Saturday).

The public is invited from noon to 4 p.m. to “Sankofa on the Brazos,” featuring live music, exhibitions, vendors and presentations on African American culture and history in Texas.

Kevin Malcolm, lead interpreter at Washington-on-the-Brazos, says “Sankofa” is a call for people to remember their past.

 

The celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a virtual genealogical workshop hosted by the Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS).  The workshop will include discussion on research methods and a live Q&A session for beginner researchers.  The webinar will be uploaded to Washington-on-the-Brazos’ social media channels for those who are unable to attend.  Click here to pre-register for the workshop.

Exhibits in the Visitor’s Center will show family artifacts, documents, photographs and other memorabilia.  Live exhibitions will run through the afternoon, with site staff periodically live-streaming presentations.  The Fantasy Band will perform from noon to 1:30 p.m., followed by the Mt. Rose Men’s Chorus from 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. and the Brown Sugar Band from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Throughout this week, the historic site has been showcasing video presentations on the history of African American families in Washington County, leading up to tomorrow’s celebration.  The videos are available on the Washington-on-the-Brazos Facebook page and the Texas Historical Commission’s YouTube channel.

The free event is presented by Brenham National Bank, the Washington-on-the-Brazos Historical Foundation and the Texas Historical Commission.