Celebrate Juneteenth 2022 all Month at these Live Events
In-Person Events
Juneteenth 2022: A Homecoming Celebration & Dedication of a Commemorative Park
Sunday, June 19th: 11 AM to 5 PM
138 W. Church Street, Orange Virginia
Park dedication begins at 12:30 pm.
Music, art, and other activities throughout the Town of Orange all day.
Sponsored by the OCAAHS & LOVEOrange Virginia/Orange Downtown Alliance
Virtual Events
Juneteenth a Homecoming Celebration Virtual Lecture Series
All programs will be held via Zoom on Wednesdays at 6pm
June 1 “Juneteenth: A Homecoming Celebration.” This panel will focus on the meaning of Juneteenth, its role as an Independence day, how the celebration came to Virginia, and what Juneteenth will look like in the future. Panelists include Dr. Bettye Kearse author of The Other Madisons: The Lost History of a President’s Black Family, Zann Nelson, historian, columnist, and President of History Quest, and Louis C. Hicks, Jr., former Director of the Alexandria Black History Museum. Register here!
June 8 “Juneteenth: Putting the Home in Homecoming” This panel will discuss the power of place and why place matters. Panelists include Dr. Matthew Reeves, Director of Archaeology and Landscape Restoration at Montpelier, Terry Miller, Curator of Carver 4-County Museum, Charde Reid, Historical Archaeologist and PhD Candidate at William & Mary, and J. Bruce Monroe, President of the Orange County African American Historical Society, and Jordy Yager, Digital Humanities Fellow at Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. Register here!
June 15 “Juneteenth: The Stories of Homecoming” The panel will focus on the power of oral histories and family stories. Panelists include Hannah Scruggs, Genealogy Reference Assistant, Robert F. Smith Family History Center, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Niya Bates, Ph.D. candidate, Department of History, Princeton University, and Justin Reid, Director of Community Initiatives, Virginia Humanities. Register here!
June 22 “Juneteenth: The Taste of Homecoming” This panel will focus on the history and importance of food. Panelists include Dr. Leni Sorensen, African American foodways expert, Dr. Mia Carey, Historical Archaeologist and Director of Unearthing Our Past Consulting, and Jerome Bias, African American foodways expert and Owner of Southern Heritage Furniture. Register here!
June 29 “Juneteenth: The Soundtrack of Homecoming” Will feature recorded performances and a panel discussion about the importance and power of music. Panelists include Dr. Dena Jennings, Executive Director of Imani Works and Musician and Horace Scruggs, Musical Director for Odyssey of Soul. Register here!
July 6 “Juneteenth: The Heroes of Homecoming.” This panel will celebrate Independence day by discussing the contributions of African Americans to the US military. Panelists include Dr. Shelley Murphy, Descendant Project Researcher, Division for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at the University of Virginia, Emmanuel Dabney, Historian and Interpretive Ranger at Petersburg National Battlefield, and Zann Nelson, historian, columnist, and President of History Quest. Register here!
“Placemaking is an important component of the Main Street program, and placemaking projects inspire people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces to strengthen the connection between those people and the places they share. By creating the African-American Commemorative Park as a placemaking space in the heart of the former African-American commercial district, and within 500-feet of the two remaining historic African-American churches, ODA/LOVE and the Orange County African American Historical Society are building a gathering spot for families and individuals, both residents and visitors, to learn and reflect on lessons of the past, as well as possibilities for the future.”
Rebecca Rowe, Virginia Main Street Director
OCAAHS Juneteenth 