Juneteenth 2022: Freedom House Reopening, More Events In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S., will be celebrated with events and experiences in Alexandria.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, according to Juneteenth.com. It refers to the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas, the last place in the U.S. to learn slaves were free.

Today, Juneteenth is often celebrated with special events over a day, week or month. In 2020, Virginia officially made Juneteenth a state holiday, and the federal government followed in 2021. While Juneteenth falls on Sunday, June 19 this year, the observed holiday will happen on Monday, June 20.

The holiday holds significance in the City of Alexandria, which has grappled with its own history of slavery and racial terror. A key part of Alexandria's history of slavery and African American stories are being told in the reopened Freedom House Museum. The museum will hold its grand reopening Monday, June 20 amid the Juneteenth observed holiday.

Various other places will celebrate the holiday in June. Below are Juneteenth events planned in and around Alexandria.

Lives Worth Celebrating: Stories of Resilience, Rebellion and Freedom at Lee-Fendall House: June 3 to Nov. 13

Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Explore a timeline of major events related to the history of slavery in the Americas and learn about legendary African American leaders, stories of self-liberation and family legacies including the descendants of free and enslaved African Americans who worked at the Lee-Fendall House. Part 1: “Freedom” will launch this three-part exhibit which will delve into stories of rebellion and resilience by enslaved people in America over the next two years. Admission is $7 per person.

Reshaping America: Juneteenth and the Changing Definition of What is an American: June 9, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Virtual

Join the state archivist for the District of Columbia for a lecture in United States history. This presentation will discuss how those marginalized in American society during and after slavery have fought to be seen as truly American. Emboldened by the long-awaited success of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, the 1970s saw marginalized groups in America fight for recognition and their place in American society. This presentation will cover the opposition they faced and the lasting legacy of those efforts. Admission is free, but registration is required.

"Tell Me Your Name" Tour at Carlyle House: June 16, 5:30 p.m., and July 21, , 5 p.m.

Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Join Carlyle House Historic Park staff for a tour focusing on the experiences of the enslaved community at Carlyle House and John Carlyle’s plantations. The guided tour will explore the historical context of slavery in 18th-century Alexandria and the importance of ongoing research efforts to connect with descendants. Admission is $10 per person.

Gum Springs Community Day/Juneteenth: June 18, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

MLK Park, 8115 Fordson Rd, Community, VA 22306

Gum Springs, the oldest African American community in Fairfax County, will celebrate 189 years since its founding by West Ford. Ford's great-great-great granddaughter Linda Allen Hollis will be the guest speaker. The event will feature vendors, turbo tubs, a roller skating rink, mad science scientist, trackless train and balloon artist.

Storytime with the Black History Museum: June 18, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22304

Gather in the reading garden to explore the history of Alexandria’s local African American community through books, stories and songs. All are welcome, but the event is geared toward children ages 3 to 6. The event is cosponsored by the Alexandria Black History Museum and the Office of Historic Alexandria. Admission is free.

Juneteenth Jubilee with Culture Queen: June 18, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22304

Join Grammy-nominated performer Culture Queen for an interactive musical storytelling show and learn the meaning of the Juneteenth holiday. The event is open to all ages and cosponsored by the Alexandria Black History Museum and the Office of Historic Alexandria as part of Celebrate Juneteenth 2022. Admission is free.

Under the Same Roof: Enslaved and Free Servants at the Lee-Fendall House: June 18, July 16, and August 20, 2 p.m.

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314

This Juneteenth and beyond, explore the Lee-Fendall House from the perspectives of the enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked in the home as domestic servants, both before and after the Civil War. Hear the stories of how they built and shaped the Lee-Fendall House over the course of its history. Face masks are required. The tour is limited to eight participants. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $10 per person. Members of Lee-Fendall House can attend for free but must call 703-548-1789 or email contact@leefendallhouse.org. to make a reservation.

Juneteenth Celebration with Vocalist Tomika Arnold: June 19, 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301

Join Alexandria Library for a Juneteenth celebration of Black music featuring a performance of gospel, R&B, and blues standards by DC native vocalist, songwriter and author Tomika Arnold. Tomika Arnold has sung background and shared the stage with artists such as Michael Jackson, Sting, Bon Jovi, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Ne-Yo, Natalie Cole, James Ingram, Patti Austin, Jeffery Osborne, CeCe Winans, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Anita Baker, Al Green, Yolanda Adams, Mark Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Faith Hill and Luther Vandross. She has also had the opportunity to sing for President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton and for the inauguration of President Barack Obama. The performance will take place in the garden at Duncan Library. Admission is free.

Juneteenth at Barkhaus: June 19, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Barkhaus, E. Howell Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301

Join Barkhaus in supporting Black-owned businesses and nonprofit organizations with drinks specials all day. A large percentage of proceeds and 100 percent of custom Juneteenth koozie sales go directly toward Black-owned businesses and the NBCDI (National Black Child Development Institute), NAACP and Black Lives Matter.

City of Alexandria’s Freedom House Museum Grand Opening: June 20, 6 p.m.

Shiloh Baptist Worship Center, 1401 Jamieson Ave., Alexandria VA 22314

Join the City of Alexandria for the grand opening of the Freedom House Museum at the Shiloh Baptist Worship Center (1401 Jamieson Avenue). The keynote address will be provided by Virginia State Del. Delores McQuinn (70th District - Richmond), a critical leader for the Commonwealth’s African American initiatives, will provide the keynote address. Remarks will also be given by Mayor Justin Wilson, Alexandria Black History Museum Director Audrey Davis, Former Alexandria City Manager Mark Jinks, Northern Virginia Urban League Board Chair Letty Maxwell, and City Poet Laureate Zeina Azzam. The event will conclude with a recitation of the earliest list of men, women, and children trafficked from Alexandria to New Orleans associated with 1315 Duke Street in 1828.

The museum will have extended hours on June 20 from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The museum is regularly open to the public Thursday and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays and Mondays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per child ages 5 to 12, and free for City of Alexandria residents. Due to high demand and limited capacity, guests are encouraged reserve tickets in advance online.