Celebrate Juneteenth At The Mercer Museum In Doylestown

DOYLESTOWN— The public is invited to the first ever Juneteenth celebration on the green in front of the Mercer Museum in Doylestown.

The event takes place on Sunday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the heart of Doylestown’s Cultural District at 84 South Pine Street, Doylestown 18901.

The fun, family day will include vendors, food trucks, live music and children’s activities throughout the day in addition to music, remarks and presentations.

“The Bucks County Historical Society operates the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle, and our mission is to educate and engage our audiences in appreciating the past, and to help people find stories and meanings relevant to their lives — both today and in the future," said Marjan Shirad, Chief Operating Officer of the Bucks County Historical Society. "We are so honored to help share the history of Juneteenth with the greater community, and commemorate this historic day in partnership with our fellow community partners."

The program opens at 11:30 a.m. with welcoming remarks by members of the Mercer Museum and the Juneteenth Planning Committee.

At 11:45 a.m., Roger Brown from the African American Museum of Bucks County presents a Juneteenth Freedom Day Proclamation Reading and Re-enactment.

At 12:15 p.m. the Choir and Praise Dancers of the Second Baptist Church of Doylestown will perform followed by the History of Mt. Gilead Church at 12:45 p.m. and a live musical performance by Shalom Mukamuri.

At 1:30 p.m., Linda Salley from the African American Museum of Bucks County will answer the question, "What is Juneteenth?" with a reenactment of a proclamation reading.

In addition, Dr. Monique Gary will speak on “Black Health" at 2 p.m., Allyson Felder and Donte King will discuss "Historically Black Fraternities & Sororities" at 2:15 p.m. and John Jordan, president of the NAACP of Bucks County will deliver A Call to Action from the NAACP at 2:30 p.m.

The free event commemorates the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved people in the United States learned that they had been freed under the Emancipation Proclamation.

The 2022 Juneteenth Celebration is presented by the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle, the Bucks County Anti-Racism Coalition, the Pair-Up Society and the NAACP of Bucks County.