On June 19 and 20, the Sautee Nacoochee Center celebrates the traditions of Juneteenth, a day commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of Black citizens through the United States.
For 155 years, family picnics, bar-b-ques, church gatherings, and community festivals have been held to commemorate the abolition of slavery. Most people associate the end of American slavery with The Emancipation Proclamation issued on January 1, 1863, which instantly freed enslaved people in the Confederate states (at least on paper). However, a lesser-known fact is that compliance with the proclamation did not reach the entirety of Southern states until June 19th, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to read and enforce the proclamation for the first time. Since that event, June 19 or Juneteenth, has marked for many the true liberation of African Americans from legalized slavery in the United States.
During the weekend of June 19, the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association will host events in the museums, African American Heritage Site, art galleries, and theatre highlighting the observance of Juneteenth. Children can participate in a campus-wide scavenger hunt. Through the activity, they will learn about the importance of Juneteenth and African American individuals who have impacted the community. Those who do not wish to participate in the scavenger hunt can stop by the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia to pick up a Juneteenth take-home packet, which includes a copy of Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper. Families can visit the Heritage Site and blacksmith forge on Saturday from 10 AM – 4 PM.
The Inkwork and Pyrography of Ashley Gary will be on display in the hall gallery of the Cultural Center. Gary, from South Carolina, uses her work with ink and woodburning to tell a visual story. The exhibit will be on display from June 18 – August 8. Gary will conduct a live demonstration on the art of woodburning from 3 – 5 PM Saturday, June 19, followed by a reception with the artist from 6 – 8 PM. An interview with the artist will be posted to the SNC website on Friday, June 18th.
The Orchestra Noir Quintet from Atlanta is performing at 4 PM on June 20th in the Center Theatre as part of the Cannon Classical Musical Series. The orchestra’s performance celebrates the achievements of African American music pioneers across all genres of music. Seating for the performance is limited to twenty-five due to COVID-19 restrictions. Tickets may be purchased by phone or online.
Today, Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievement. In the wake of the most recent protests against police brutality and systemic racism, it also serves as an important reminder that the work to fulfill America’s promise of equality and justice is ongoing. All are invited and welcomed to visit the Sautee Nacoochee Center campus to explore the traditions of Juneteenth.
For additional information, visit the Sautee Nacoochee Center’s website at www.SNCA.org, email i[email protected], or call 706-878-3300. The Sautee Nacoochee Community Association is a member-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located at 283 Hwy 255 in Sautee, Georgia.
This article was submitted by Jennie Inglis, Marketing and Development Coordinator for the Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center.
