Juneteenth | Atlanta History Center

Timed Activities

Note: Refer to Upper and Lower Swan Lawn for additional
timed activities

Freedom Flavors: Aleck’s Legacy Museum Theater Set against the backdrop of the iconic Aleck’s Barbecue Heaven in Atlanta, Freedom Flavors: Aleck’s Legacy is a museum-theater experience that transports audiences to a time when barbecue served as a beacon of freedom and community. 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2pm Gatheround Exhibit Folktales and Interactive Storytelling with Mama Koku All ages are encouraged to indulge their imaginations and nurture their spirits as Mama Koku brings to life African and African American folktales through captivating performances. 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm Museum Terraces Gardens Tour Join Atlanta History Center’s Urban Agriculturalist for a tour of the Enslaved People’s Garden. Learn about garden design, the history of the crops that made up the foodways of enslaved communities, and how these gardens were used as a form of resistance. 11am, 12pm, 1pm Smith Farm Fruits of Our Labor
Register Here

Note: This is an outdoor experience and pre-paid, ticketed event

James Beard Award-nominated food writer, home chef, and producer, Nicole Taylor, will provide a pre-paid interactive tasting inspired by her cookbook, Watermelon & Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebration, through meals and drinks that carry the patina of endurance. 11am–12pm & 1–2pm Swan House Boxwood Gardens Archives Open House Be inspired by America’s favorite pastime, African American food culture and gardening traditions, and the Veterans History Project through guided explorations led by Kenan Research Center. Hear veteran voices, see rare photographs of Negro League baseball in Atlanta, browse historic and new cookbooks, and an array of gardening volumes, from foraging and flowers to landscape design and vegetables to highlight Georgia’s historical legacies. 11am, 12pm, 1pm Kenan Research Center (McElreath Hall) Medicine in the Garden Join Atlanta History Center’s Certified Herbalist and Senior Horticulturist to learn about the rich cultural history of African American herbal medicine, modern uses of cultivated and foraged herbs, and watch demonstrations of herbal tea preparations including peppermint, lemon balm, and others. 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Wood Cabin Ongoing Activities

Note: Refer to Upper and Lower Swan Lawn for additional
ongoing activities

Juneteenth Introduction Video  Ground yourself in the day’s celebrations as you discover the journey of the Black diaspora through the lens of food and family. 10am–2pm Kennedy Theater Civic Season Booth Discover the activist in you by participating in our Civic Season, celebrated from Juneteenth to July 4th by communities across the country. Vote on popular variations of beloved meals, record memorable experiences surrounding food, and learn about the origins of Black culinary heritage. 10am–2pm Gatheround Exhibit
(Will move to Lower Swan Lawn at 2pm) Signature Seasonings Whether you like it sweet, savory, or spicy, engage your culinary senses by creating a dry rub while learning its use in enhancing smoked meats and the art of barbecue. 10am–2pm Atrium Barbecue Nation Exhibition Visit Barbecue Nation, an exhibit that explores the history of barbecue and how this cooking technique inspires cuisines both on and off the grill. 10am–2pm Rountree Visual Vault Community Outreach Volunteers from the Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, INC., will be giving away free children’s books covering various Black history topics. 10am–2pm Exhibition Hallway
(Will move to Lower Swan Lawn at 2pm) More Than Brave: The Life of Henry Aaron Exhibition Step into More Than Brave, an exhibit that uncovers the story of Henry Aaron and his life as a leader in baseball, business, and charitable causes. 10am–2pm Nicholson Gallery Quilting-up Cuisines Learn from Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild as they share African American culture through quilting, a longstanding tradition in the Black community. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in make-and-take quilt pieces. 10am–2pm Grand Overlook Ballroom Food from the Soil Journey through the origins of agriculture. Observe harvesting, cooking, and even preserving to learn how food impacts our daily lives and how it is used in northern Georgia. 11am–3:30pm Smith Farm Audioscape This unique experience invites visitors to discover the profound connection between African Americans and the land, showcasing how they ingeniously used nature for survival and prosperity. 12–3pm Boardwalk in Goizueta Gardens Upper Swan Lawn Activities
(Front Door Side of Swan House and Swan Driveway) Kids Activities Head to the lawn to enjoy a variety of activities including an obstacle course, Swan House baseball scavenger hunt, and field games! l11am–3pm Upper Swan Lawn Backyard Baseball Batter up! Join former Chicago Cubs player and youth baseball coach C.J. Stewart from L.E.A.D. Center for Youth for a baseball fundamentals workshop for children ages 5-12. Test your skills and see if you have what it takes to join the major leagues. 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 2:15pm Upper Swan Lawn Lower Swan Lawn Activities
(Fountain Side of Swan House) DJ Join us on the lawn for line dancing, musical chairs, and trivia as DJ Bad keeps us moving to the music! 11:30am–3pm Lower Swan Lawn Lawn Games Get outside and play Double Dutch, giant Jenga, Connect 4, and other lawn games. Also, kids can try their skills at an inflatable baseball experience. 12–4pm Lower Swan Lawn Facepainting Facepainting by India will entertain you with unique creations. 12–4pm Lower Swan Lawn Yoga with DeKeely Atkins Join DeKeely of Form Yoga for a restorative stretching session on Swan Lawn. A limited number of blankets will be available; otherwise, bring your own mat or enjoy going barefoot in the grass. 1:20–1:40pm Lower Swan Lawn Black National Anthem Join us for a vocal performance of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” performed by Maiesha McQueen. In 1900, this poetic hymn was written and composed by brothers James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson, both NAACP activists, as a celebration of the past, present, and future Black experience. 2pm Lower Swan Lawn Southern Komfort Brass Band  Southern Komfort Brass Band will close out the event with music that will make you want to move your feet. 3–4pm Lower Swan Lawn Food & Drink Food Truck Park Choose your favorite delicious Southern bite from an assortment of barbeque, desserts, and more! Meal items are available for purchase while supplies last. 11am–3:30pm Swan House Parking Lot (Across from McElreath Hall) Bar Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase, including a signature Red Drink. 11am–4pm Lower Swan Lawn Hospitality Water Stations  All Day Museum Terraces, Smith Farm, and Swan House First Aid All Day Swan House Lawn and Exhibition Hall Nursing Room  A private room for nursing parents, located near the sensory-friendly space and additional restrooms. All Day Classrooms
(enter through Gatheround exhibition) Sensory Friendly Room  Indoor
A quiet place with kids’ books and sensory toys, along with restroom access.

Outdoor
Quiet places in our gardens for kids to enjoy the outdoors in a tranquil environment.

All Day Indoor
Classrooms (Enter through Gatheround exhibition)

Outdoor
Olguita’s Garden and Asian Garden

Information Desk  All Day Atlanta History Museum front desk