The Atlanta Cyclorama will present a Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 20 from 11 am to 4 pm. It will be a day of fun and educational activities including theatrical performances, youth open mic, arts and crafts stations, Civil War reenactors, and genealogy workshops. This event is FREE and open to the public.
What is Juneteenth? Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, to deliver General Order Number 3 informing enslaved African Americans that they were free. This news came two and a half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Upon hearing the news, African Americans started a tradition called Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Events focused on remembering the past, education and self-improvement.
Juneteenth Schedule of Events:
11-11:30 am - Junior Youth Genealogy (ages 5-11) led by the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, Metro Atlanta Chapter. Experienced genealogists will assist children as they create family trees.
11:45 am-12:15 pm - Senior Youth Genealogy (ages 12-18) led by the Afro-American Historical & Genealogy Society, Metro Atlanta Chapter. Genealogists will expose youth to basic genealogical information and guide them in its use.
12:30-1pm - Order of Freedom by Atlanta History Center Performers. This production explores the impact of General Order Number 3, and the challenges faced by Cora and James Lewis as they begin their journey from enslavement to citizenship.
1-1:45 pm - Youth Open Mic (ages 12-18). Youth will have the opportunity to share original poetry or excerpts from short stories that focus on themes related to Juneteenth, the US Civil War, and/or African American enslavement or Emancipation.
2-2:30 pm - Order of Freedom by Atlanta History Center Performers. This production explores the impact of General Order Number 3 and the challenges faced by Cora and James Lewis as the begin their journey from enslavement to citizenship.
2:30-4 pm - Genealogy Workshop (adults and families) led by the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, Metro Atlanta Chapter & Atlanta History Center. Genealogist and archivist will lead a seminar on family genealogy and history. Participants will learn how to research, document and preserve important family history and ephemera.
***Limited space is available for above scheduled activities. Please email to reserve space and included sessions that you will attend, along with total number of people in your party, to atlcyclorama@atlantaga.gov. For more information call 404-658-7625.
The Cyclorama will offer free admission during the Juneteenth Celebration which will include viewings of the historic painting at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm. There will be arts and learning stations, face painting, and Civil War reenactors from the 54th Massachusetts throughout the celebration.
The Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum is conveniently located near downtown Atlanta, in historic Grant Park, at 800 Cherokee Avenue, SE, Atlanta, GA 30315. For more information and to plan your visit: www.atlantacyclorama.org.
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