Greenwich officials, small businesses come together for Juneteenth at historical society

With support from the First Selectman’s Diversity Advisory Committee and contributions from many town organizations and residents, the Greenwich Historical Society’s campus in Cos Cob will host a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to mark the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States. (Juneteenth – a portmanteau of “June” and “nineteenth” – is Wednesday, June 19, a federal holiday. It was on June 19, 1865, that Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas, foreshadowing the oldest African American celebration.) 

“The entire community is invited to join us for a special day to honor Black Americans who contributed so much to making Greenwich and our nation the special place it is today,” said First Selectman Fred Camillo.  

Added Historical Society Executive Director and CEO Debra Mecky: “The event offers a festive tribute and meaningful reflection on the end of the Civil War and freedom for all enslaved people.” 

Attendees will be able to browse merchandise from local businesses – including Molly & Mags, Oh D’luxe Candle Co., Pure by Shasha, Stitchtrove and Xichao Cao – at the curated market in the Tavern Garden and relax on the Great Lawn with games and the New Orleans-style jazz of Demolition Brass Band. Part of the “Music on the Great Lawn” series, the concert is sponsored by First Bank of Greenwich.  Food and treats will be catered by Stamford’s Soul Tasty, compliments of Rob and Liz Kirkpatrick. There will also be educational crafts, face painting sponsored by Greenwich Youth Services, a garden scavenger hunt and craft tables.  

In partnership with PARJE, Public Art for Racial Justice Education, event organizers invite the community to participate in coloring a large-scale community mural, underwritten by the Junior League of Greenwich. The mural will be sent to PARJE, which will create vinyl panels for display in museums across the country. 

Meanwhile, a newly planted Emancipation Garden near the historical society’s Bush-Holley House features plant varieties that were part of the Triangle Trade among New England, the West Indies and West Africa. Some of the plants, like the Wethersfield onion, became staples in the American diet and cornerstones of the early American economy. The plants were donated by Sleepy Cat Farm. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring water bottles, blankets and lawn chairs. Preregistration for the event, which is also supported by Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, is optional but recommended. If it rains, the activities will take place indoors. To register and for more, visit https://greenwichhistory.org/event/juneteenth-celebration/.