PHILADELPHIA – Come joinHistoric Germantown, Freedom’s Backyard, for a day of programs Saturday, June 19^th celebratingthe 145^th anniversary of Juneteeth, the oldest known celebrationcommemorating passage and ratification of the 13th Amendment and the ending ofslavery in the UnitedStates.

The outdoorfestival will be held along the 6300 block of Germantown Ave and will include activitiesfor the whole family, designed to bring history to life for all to enjoy.  TheJohnson House, located at 6306Germantown Ave., will host a performance at 11:00 AMby ‘Harriet Tubman’ in which she will tell her story of helpingAfrican Americans to seek their freedom.

Otheractivities along the block will include SoZo’s Market Place, face painting,Story Hour, screening of the documentary film ‘My Slave Sister Myself’ at 1 PM and 3PM,and exhibits on art, slave memorabilia, and vintage beauty/barber equipment. Theexhibits will be hosted by Color Book Gallery, Lucien Crump Gallery, A&DHair Salon and other local businesses.

In addition,the historic Meetinghouse at 6133Germantown Ave., operated by the Germantown MennoniteHistoric Trust, will host an Open House from 10 AM to 2 PM, showing the table onwhich the first written protest against slavery was signed.   Other historicsites along the avenue will be open for special tours, including Cliveden of theNational Trust from 12-4PM and the Concord School House and Upper Burial Groundfrom 11AM-4PM. For moreinformation, call 215.844.1683 or visit www.freedomsbackyard.com.

HistoricGermantown is a consortium of fifteen culturaland historic sites located in NorthwestPhiladelphia.  Our members range from historic houses to an artmuseum and arboretum. The mission of Historic Germantown is to foster anappreciation of the diverse character and meaning of our cultural heritage inorder to preserve and revitalize our community.  To this end, we cooperate inproviding knowledge and resources to help preserve Germantown’s historicsites, interpret them to the public, and incorporate them into the life of thelocal community.  For more information about Historic Germantown visitwww.freedomsbackyard.com.

Share on Facebook