New Milford Public Library and Historical Society and Museum recognize Juneteenth with special programs and events

Special programming collaboration between New Milford Public Library and The New Milford Historical Society and Museum in recognition of Juneteenth on June 14 and 23, 2022

Black Experience in New Milford Oral History Talk
June 14 | 7:00PM@ The Maxx

Norm Cummings, New Milford resident, member of the Board of the Historical Society and Museum, reporter, and local historian, in 2021 recorded interviews with 7 present and former New Milford residents for an Oral History project. This project was created alongside a permanent exhibit at The Museum, The Black Experience in New Milford, curated by Lisa Roush. A member of The New Milford Youth Agency, Dylan Heydet, performed the taping and editing of this project. These oral histories can be found on YouTube, the trailer can be watched using this link: https://bit.ly/blackinNMoralhistory

For this program, Norm will be discussing the project, showing clips from the interviews, and engaging in dialogue with the audience.

Registration is encouraged for this presentation. Call: 860-355-1191 if you need assistance with registration.

Juneteenth Remembrance Program w/The Museum

June 23 | 7:00PM@ The New Milford Historical Society and Museum

The Museum will be especially open to program registrants at no charge. Museum curator Lisa Roush, will offer a welcome to the Museum, a brief overview of the exhibit, The Black Experience in New Milford. This permanent exhibit, chronicles the history of Blacks in the United States from the time of slavery, through the Revolutionary and World Wars, and the journey from Reconstruction to the Great Migration and the Civil Rights Movement. Connecticut and New Milford are the focal points of each historic event with the highlighting of Black military members, leaders, and the many contributions made by Black New Milford citizens.

Small groups will be invited to walk through the Museum with a docent offering an opportunity to view the general collection in addition to the, Black Experience in New Milford, permanent exhibit.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND LIMITED FOR THIS PROGRAM.

If you need assistance with registration please call: 860-355-1191

What is Juneteenth?

(The National Museum of African American History and Culture, https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth)

“On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas. He informed the enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. This momentous occasion has been celebrated as Juneteenth — a combination of June and 19 — for over 150 years.”

Throughout history, Juneteenth has been known by other names, including Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day.

Juneteenth has been observed with prayer and religious services, speeches, educational events, picnics, and festivals.