On Monday, June 19, the Sautee Nacoochee Center will observe the United States’ newest Federal holiday with a day full of events for Juneteenth. The day is set aside to commemorate the announcement of the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of Black citizens throughout the United States on June 19, 1865.
At SNC, the day will be dedicated to raising funds for the Bean Creek Missionary Baptist Church cemetery. Educational materials and opportunities will be offered throughout the day.
Schedule of events
Audrey Davenport, Curator & President of the Regional African American Museum of Northeast Georgia (RAAMNG), located in Cornelia, will be on campus from 1 until 4 p.m.
Beginning at 1 p.m., she will present a Think & Listen session for willing participants. She describes this interactive activity as “Thinking and allowing others to think, with no attachment to who we are, our role or experience, and intentionally taking the time to empty the glass and think and go deeper.” Contact the Center to participate.
From 1 to 3 p.m., Sharon Mumbi of Cumming will demonstrate the creation of her work as a fiber artist. Sharon, the founder of Africasy, specializes in creating handmade leather Ankara Beaded handbag clutches, Fedora hats, ponchos, and sandals. She is an SNC juried artist, and her work is for sale in the gallery shops.
At 2 p.m. in the Community Hall, Davenport will conduct a tour of the Regional African American Museum of Northeast Georgia Exhibition, followed by a question-and-answer period. The exhibition is available for viewing beginning at 10 a.m. Included in the exhibition is a display of the Cornelia Regional Colored High School (CRCHS) building blueprints and plaque, digitized original materials related to the RAAMNG, a slide presentation supplementing the panels with CRCHS reunions, and video recordings relevant to RAAMNG.
From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., material presenting the history of Bean Creek Missionary Baptist Church will be on display in the Community Hall.
In the Folk Pottery Museum, a family packet of material that includes activities, reading lists, and online resources will be offered, along with hourly readings of Laban Carrick Hill’s Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave. Additionally, panels from the 2019 Dave Drake exhibit will be on display.
From 5:30 until 8:00 p.m., the community will gather to celebrate with a supported potluck featuring chicken barbecued on site. Folks can “RSVP” for the potluck on the SNC website.
A program of recognition and celebration will follow on the Outdoor Stage. Included in the program will be a recitation by local youth of two Juneteenth-related books. Members of the Bean Creek Missionary Baptist Church Choir will lead folks in lifting their voices.
“Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievement. It also serves as an important reminder that the work to fulfill America’s promise of equality and justice is ongoing,” says SNC Marketing and Development Coordinator Jennie Ingliss
The day’s activities are free of charge, and all are welcome. The Center’s grounds are open for families and churches to gather, picnic, and recreate.
For more information, contact the Center at 706-878-3300 or at [email protected].
