Ona Judge Historical Marker To Be Unveiled On Juneteenth

MOUNT VERNON, VA — Juneteenth is now a holiday recognized in Virginia, but it will have extra significance in Mount Vernon as a new historical marker is unveiled to honor an escaped slave.

Ona Judge, born a slave at George Washington's Mount Vernon, is the subject of a new historical marker to be placed in front of the Mount Vernon estate. Judge served as Martha Washington's personal assistant as a young girl, and was later brought to New York City and Philadelphia after Washington became president in 1789. Due to a Pennsylvania law that may have freed Judge based on long-term residency, Washington found a way around the law by periodically sending her back to Virginia.

Judge escaped from Philadelphia after learning she was intended to be a gift for Martha Washington's granddaughter. She ended up in New Hampshire, got married and had three children. Despite Washington's attempts to find her, she evaded recapture.

Fifth graders at Laurel Ridge Elementary School in Fairfax and their teacher Maura Keaney nominated Judge as part of Gov. Ralph Northam's Black History Month Historical Marker Contest. Five of 20 historical highway markers announced by Northam in February were nominated by students as part of the contest. The historical markers are intended to highlight Virginia’s African American history.

Judge, the Laurel Ridge students, and their teacher will be honored at the historical marker unveiling on Saturday, June 19 at 10 a.m. Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck will host the marker unveiling at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Mount Vernon estate. The marker is located at the post office entrance parking lot near the Mount Vernon estate, 3500T Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon. Guest speakers will include Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni; Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar, author of "Never Caught"; and the students. The public is invited to attend or tune in virtually on Storck's Facebook Live.

The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution on June 8 in recognition of Judge and the historical marker installation.

Mount Vernon is also hosting several special events on Juneteenth: Freedom Skies: A Juneteenth Celebration and Tribute at the Slave Memorial. The Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tour is regularly held Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.