Fairfield Hosts Its First Juneteenth Commemorative Event Wednesday

Information from the Town of Fairfield:

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Town of Fairfield has planned its first commemorative celebration of Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19 from 11: 30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Intended for both Town employees and residents, the event will take place on the Town Hall Green and in the tent behind the Burr Mansion, with an educational presentation, food available for purchase, and music.

Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States in 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The first Town Juneteenth celebration is a day not only celebrating freedom, but also one of opportunity, equity, and access, to encourage cultural curiosity and historical awareness throughout the Town. In the spirit of inclusion, the event is open to all Town residents and Town employees. Help us spread the word!

Dear Fairfielders,

Sending you a quick reminder that you are welcome to join Fairfield's first celebration of Juneteenth, a commemoration of the day that word finally reached Black slaves in Texas that President Lincoln had abolished slavery in the Confederate states through the Emancipation Proclamation. Although the Proclamation was issued in 1863, it wasn't until Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay in June, 1865, more than two years later, and announced that more than 250,000 enslaved Blacks were free by executive decree that these individuals were finally given their freedom. This day came to be known as Juneteenth.

Fairfield will be hosting a commemorative celebration tomorrow, Wednesday, June 19th from 11:30am - 2:30pm on the Town Hall Green and in the tent behind the Burr Mansion. The event is open to both employees and the public and will feature an educational presentation, food available for purchase, and music. We hope to see you there!

If you can't make it, here's a link to slides prepared by Alec Lurie, PhD student in History at Stony Brook University, showing interesting facts about Fairfield's Black history. It is not very widely known that Connecticut was the worst slave-owning state in New England with over 6,000 slaves, and was the last state in New England to free its enslaved people. Connecticut passed the Gradual Abolition Act in 1784 but did not fully end slavery until 1848, just thirteen years before the start of the Civil War. Of all the towns in Connecticut, Fairfield was the worst offender in terms of the number of enslaved persons. We know about the Burning of Fairfield, but only recently have learned that that event allowed several slaves to escape captivity.

It has taken a very dedicated and persistent group of academics to uncover historical records and bring to light the extent of slavery in Fairfield. We owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Vincent Rosivach of Fairfield University, who’s work has been carried on by Alec Lurie. The Fairfield Museum is now home to the Fairfield Enslaved Peoples Database.

Bill Gerber
First Selectman

Where: Town Hall Green and Burr Mansion Tent

When: Wednesday, June 19, 2024

• 11:30-2:00: Blind Rhino Food Truck on site
• 11:30 a.m. to Noon: Educational Presentation
  Presenter: Maurice Nelson, Med, CDE
  Maurice Nelson is Sacred Heart University's chief diversity & inclusion officer. Working to increase SHU's value and mission alignment, he ensures the implementation of a diverse and supportive environment that is conducive to the success of all members of the community. Maurice was director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Yale School of Nursing. He earned his bachelor's degree in management from Savannah State University and his master’s in higher education administration from Georgia Southern University.
• Noon to 12:15 p.m.: Proclamation
  Presentation by First Selectman Bill Gerber on Juneteenth Day of Observance
• 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.: Live Music
  The George Lesiw Trio
  Recognized as one of the most versatile performers on the Connecticut music scene, guitarist George Lesiw combines the true improvisational essence and language of jazz, the daring electricity of rock-fusion, and the gritty fire of blues.
• 1:30 to 2:00 p.m: Repeat of Educational Presentation
• 2:30 p.m.: Event concludes.