JUNETEENTH EXHIBIT OPENS SATURDAY AT BRENHAM HERITAGE MUSEUM BUS DEPOT GALLERY

  

A new exhibit focused on the history of Juneteenth in Washington County opens on Saturday at the Brenham Heritage Museum’s Bus Depot Gallery.

Celebrate! A View of Juneteenth Traditions and Customs shows the wide variety of ways that Juneteenth has been observed in Washington County since the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas in June 1865.  Specific topics include parades, coronations, rodeos, concerts and entertainment, picnics, sporting events and reunions.  The exhibit will run through at least the end of July.

Visitors can learn about the history of the holiday through artifacts, images and historic newspaper articles.  Some attire belonging to royalty at past Juneteenth celebrations has been loaned for the exhibit, and a few pieces will be displayed from the museum’s permanent collection.

The exhibit, presented by the museum’s African American Content Committee, overlaps with several other events this summer.  It will be on display for those attending the Summer Sip and Art Walk this Saturday, accompanying works from Navasota artist Molly Bee and three pieces from the museum’s collection of historic artwork by Brenham painters.  It will also be featured during the Juneteenth parade and celebration on June 18^th, and during a lecture by architectural historian Stephen Fox on Monday, July 25^th.

As renovations continue at the old post office building, museum exhibits are displayed in the Bus Depot Gallery at 313 East Alamo Street.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday, with other times available by appointment.

To learn more, or to donate to the museum, visit www.brenhamheritagemuseum.org.