Juneteenth Heritage Celebration at Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site

Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site will observe the important holiday Juneteenth—from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, 2018—by celebrating the rich African American heritage and culture of the Brazos Valley, past and present.

BRENHAM, Texas (PRWEB) April 30, 2018

In June 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and made a declaration of freedom ending the bondage of approximately 250,000 enslaved men, women and children in Texas. Since that time, Juneteenth has been celebrated and remembered by picnics, parades, family reunions, pageants, barbecues and games. The Brazos Valley has a rich history in celebrating Juneteenth, including the Juneteenth parade in Brenham, TX, which began in the early 1870s and continues to this day.

Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site observes this important occasion—from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, 2018—by celebrating the rich African American heritage and culture of the Brazos Valley, past and present. This event will occur in the park's Visitor Center Complex, Conference Center and Education Center.

The Juneteenth Heritage Celebration will include artifact exhibits; art displays; church choir performances; food; and more. Prominent guest speakers will include Dr. Lila Rakoczy, Federal Programs Coordinator at Texas Historical Commission, who will discuss African Americans from the Brazos Valley.

Discount tour tickets for Independence Hall, Barrington Living History Farm and the Star of the Republic Museum are available that day.

For more information, contact Jon Failor at (936) 878-2214 ext. 224 or jon.failor(at)tpwd.texas.gov.

Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site: There are many reasons to join the Washington on the Brazos State Park Association as a member and explore this Texas treasure. Besides the irreplaceable satisfaction of helping to uphold Texas history through the Association’s preservation projects, celebrations and programming, spending time at the park is an easy, inexpensive, educational and fun way to entertain families and visitors. Park Association membership levels are available for individuals, families and businesses and include free admission to the Site’s attractions for a year, and—for some levels—private parties during the park’s special celebrations.

The Park: The expansive park grounds of this state park along the Brazos River also provide a beautiful setting for picnicking, sightseeing and bird watching, as well as four geocaching sites—two each from TPWD and the Brenham/Washington County Chamber and CVB. It also features a Conference and Education Center, which is available for rent for meetings, weddings and reunions. An outdoor amphitheater and two pavilions are also available to rent.

Leashed pets are allowed in the park, but not allowed onto farm site or in the buildings. All attractions are accessible for the mobility impaired. For lodging information, please contact the Brenham Visitor Center at http://www.visitbrenhamtexas.com/ or 1-888-BRENHAM, or the city of Navasota at http://www.navasotagrimeschamber.com.

Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site is found on the Brazos River at the original townsite of Washington, Texas, a major political and commercial center in early Texas. It is located at 23400 Park Road 12, Washington, TX, 77880—approximately halfway between Brenham and Navasota, off of State Hwy. 105. From Hwy. 105, follow either FM 912 or FM 1155 to Park Road 12. For additional information, call (936) 878-2214 or visit the site’s website at http://www.wheretexasbecametexas.org.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/05/prweb15452106.htm