Juneteenth 2023 | Atlanta History Center

Timed Activities Bird Walk in the Gardens
Register Now It’s a little-known fact that Goizueta Gardens is a birding hotspot; over a hundred species of birds have been sighted on campus. Our outdoor spaces contain an exciting mix of natural and curated landscapes. This birding trip is recommended for beginner birders and families with children over 10. Binoculars will be provided. This event is ticketed and limited to 20 guests for each time slot. 8 and 10am Goizueta Gardens  Preservation Tips & Tricks: Photos, Textiles, & Furniture  Join our archives staff as they share tips and tricks to preserve and store your photos and heirloom textiles and furniture. A short presentation will be followed by a Q&A. Handouts with condensed information on how to care for different material types will be available to pick up before and after the presentation.  11:15am–12pm Woodruff Auditorium (McElreath Hall)  Tour of the Gardens  The Goizueta Gardens team will explore how enslaved people gardened in the antebellum South. We will also discuss West African influences on gardening, cultural exchanges between enslaved and Native people, & the medicinal use of plants.  11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm Smith Farm Museum Theater Piece: Free in the Name Only  Join us for a 20-minute museum theater performance written by Aaron R. Bonds and directed by Charity Jordan. We will explore the connections between the Reconstruction period and today, through the lens of a single family’s experience. This performance will be followed by a brief talk-back discussion about Juneteenth. 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Smith Farm Enslaved People’s Cabin  Tea & Talk with Dr. D.L. Henderson
Register Now Cherokee Garden Library of Kenan Research Center presents Gardens and Cultural Landscapes of Black America: A Tea & Talk with Dr. D.L. Henderson. Dr. Henderson will discuss a new digital collection at the Cherokee Garden Library: Gardens and Cultural Landscapes of Black America visual arts materials. Tea and light refreshments will be provided. This event is ticketed and limited to 35 guests. 12–2pm Draper Room (McElreath Hall) Forsyth County: Descendants Panel   The Digital Storytelling team will host a panel with three descendants of expelled Black residents of Forsyth County, Elon Osby, Charles Grogan, and Chase Evans, and author of Blood at the Root, Patrick Phillips. The panel will discuss Digital Storytelling’s ongoing project collecting the oral histories of descendants of Forsyth County’s expelled Black residents, the importance of family oral history preservation, and sneak peek listening session to our Digital Storytelling podcast. 12:30–1:30pm Woodruff Auditorium (McElreath Hall)  Black Genealogy Talk Certified genealogist, Elyse Hill, will present the beginning steps for African American genealogy geared at helping Black families learn tools to conduct independent research. Hill has 20 years of experience in African American genealogy research, specializing in developing family trees.   2–3pm Woodruff Auditorium (McElreath Hall)  Folktales & Interactive Storytelling with LaDoris Bias-Davis  All ages are encouraged to indulge their imaginations and nurture their spirits as Ms. Bias-Davis brings to life Gullah Geechee tales, African American folktales, and more.  11–11:30am, 12–12:30pm, 1–1:30pm, 2–2:30pm Museum Terraces (Atlanta History Museum Building) Ongoing Activities Juneteenth Introduction Video  Learn about the roots of Juneteenth and explore what the holiday means today. 10am–2pm Kennedy Theater (Atlanta History Museum Building)  Bagley Park Pop-Up Exhibition  The Digital Storytelling Team has worked with community partner Elon Osby to exhibit artifacts related to William Bagley and Bagley Park, a historically Black Buckhead neighborhood demolished in the early 1950s to create a public park. Osby is the granddaughter of William Bagley, the unofficial mayor of Bagley Park. 10am–2pm Nicholson Gallery (Atlanta History Museum Building)  Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild  Learn from Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild members as they lead demonstrations, provide make-and-take quilting activities, deliver insightful presentations, and showcase their work. They will share the heritage of quilting through various mediums and methods.  10am–2pm Grand Overlook Ballroom (Atlanta History Museum Building)  Kids’ Crafts Stop and smell the flowers! Kids can create a foam craft to take home by choosing their favorite color petals, designing flowers, and decorating a faux flowerpot. This craft is for children of all ages.   10am–2pm Exhibition Hallway (Atlanta History Museum Building)  Family & Community Photos Capture memories with friends and family with one of our roaming photographers Atrium Swan Lawn Activities (Fountain Side of Swan House) Collective Painting: Arts Alley  Join with other visitors to complete several paint-by-number canvases based on our theme Planted, designed and curated by Paint Love. While there, you can also experience other Arts Alley activities, including music and dancing.  10am–2pm Swan Driveway  Lawn Games  Get outside and play: giant checkers, bubble wands, Ultimate Twister, big Connect 4, cornhole, spikeball, and toss and catch!  12–4pm Swan Lawn Civic Season Booth  There are many ways to pitch in when it comes to shaping the future of our nation. Stop by to take the Civic Superpower quiz and learn about historical figures who were like you, and to learn about Civic Season, celebrated from Juneteenth to July 4th by communities across the country.  12–4pm Swan Lawn Facepainting  Facepainting by India will entertain you with unique creations. 12–4pm Swan Lawn Yoga with DeKeely Atkins  Start our Juneteenth lawn festivities with DeKeely of Form Yoga. A limited number of blankets will be available; otherwise, bring your own mat or enjoy going barefoot in the grass.  12:15–12:35pm Swan Lawn Southern Komfort Brass Band  The Second Line band, Southern Komfort Brass Band will close out the event with music that will make you want to move your feet.  3–4pm Swan Lawn Food & Drink Credit Card Bar  Beat the heat and grab your favorite libation. Serving non-alcoholic options, including soft drinks, sparkling water, and juice. Alcoholic beverages include beer, wine, and a signature Juneteenth rum punch.  12–4pm Museum Terraces and Swan House Lawn  Food Trucks  Choose your pick of delicious Southern bites from The Funnel Cake Guys and Soul Truckin’ Good. Meal items are available while
supplies last. 12–4pm Swan House Parking Lot
(across from McElreath Hall) Water Stations  All Day McElreath Hall, Atlanta History Museum building (near restrooms)  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  All Day Classrooms (enter through Gatheround exhibition) Information Desk  All Day Atlanta History Museum front desk and Swan House Lawn Pop Up Shops All Day Museum Terraces and Swan House Lawn