Arts & Entertainment
Storyteller Seeks Juneteenth Stories
New London's McKinley Winston is coordinating a celebration at the Hempsted Houses
New London storyteller McKinley Winston is seeking the stories of southeastern Connecticut families for a Juneteenth celebration at the Hempsted Houses on June 13.
“Many families have handed down stories from generation to generation – stories of emancipation, hope, freedom,” Winston said. “We are looking for tales that speak to Juneteenth celebrations or life just after slavery ended in the U.S.”
The stories Winston gathers will be told by community members and professional storytellers during the event from 1-4 p.m. at the Hempsted Houses during Connecticut Open House Day.
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Juneteenth began as a commemoration of abolition in Texas in 1865, but now celebrates the end of slavery across the U.S. South. The Hempsted Houses ( www.facebook.com/HempstedHouses), located at 11 Hempstead St. in New London, are at the heart of the city’s first African-American neighborhood.
Send your stories to Winston by May 15 at mwinston@lmhosp.org or 860-271-4877. For more about Winston, go to www.mckinleywinstonstoryteller.com.
