On April 5‚ 1856‚ Booker T. Washington was born a slave on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War‚ Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later as an adviser‚ author and orator‚ his past would influence his philosophies as the most influential African American of his era. Join in the festivities as the community comes together to celebrate one of the most important moments in our nation’s history – the moment of emancipation.
Thursday and Friday will feature a series of guided programming highlighting Washington’s childhood experiences while enslaved on the Burrough’s tobacco plantation. On Saturday the 21st, the Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom will begin at 11am, with gospel groups, educational programming, and food vendors throughout the day. The event concludes on Sunday with a series of guided programming, including a performance on a gut-string banjo while discussing the African origins of the “banjar” and its connection to Southside Virginia.