Juneteenth Family History Fair

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Looking back to move forward

Can family and community history really help heal a nation? We think so. Learning about how the past impacts the present brings us closer to understanding the truths of this country, increases empathy and makes the call for transformation even clearer. All are invited to join friends, neighbors, and community members in observation of Juneteenth, the anniversary of emancipation from enslavement for African Americans and in honor of African American resilience. Both virtual and in-person talks will be offered via zoom and the experiential offerings will take place in the Richmond Hill Garden. 

The weekend kicks off with an opening talk Friday night, June 18, featuring Tony Burroughs, author of Black Roots: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree. Burroughs’ methods are useful for anyone researching enslavement in their family and for studying ancestry generally. On Saturday, June 19, local experts, professors, historians, archeologists, genealogists, and agricultural producers present a series of opportunities to acknowledge African Diasporic history, African American family trees, truths revealed by the ground below us and to enjoy theatrical performances and good food from the land. Sunday morning, June 20, the Richmond Hill community is invited to join in worship with local African American churches. That afternoon, an African-centered ceremony will honor the lives and power of those enslaved in the 1700-1800s on the property. The family tree- and history, archaeological explorations, and good foods from the land will resume throughout Sunday afternoon as well.

For more information: psmith@richmondhillva.org or call (804) 783-7903 x 130

This event is made possible in part by the generous support of Virginia Humanities.

Family History Fair HIGHLIGHTS!

  • Finding Our Ancestors – A Friday evening talk with the author of Black Roots: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree and consultant for Henry Louis Gates’ PBS programs
  • Saturday Workshops:
    • “When peace come”: The Significance of Juneteenth with Dr. Lauranett Lee and Counselor Corey Hancock
    • The Warmth: Young Adults Telling the Truth with Nikki Fernandes
    •  The Neighbors: Church Hill & African American History
  • Ask a Genealogist! With experts from the Afro-American History and Genealogical Society of Greater Richmond on Saturday and Sunday afternoon
  • Archaeology tours truths revealed by the ground below us on Saturday and Sunday afternoon
  • Dramatic interpretation of Judy’s Story – Heritage Ensemble Theater on Saturday afternoon
  • African-centered healing ritual paying homage to enslaved people led by Egunfemi Free
  • Carter Farms – is a century farm in the Piedmont region of Virginia that specializes in growing ethnic, African tropical vegetables organically
  • Juneteenth Sunday – RH community worshipping with local churches

Click on Each Date for Full Program Details

Friday, June 18
Saturday, June 19
Sunday, June 20
Friday, June 18

7:00-8:30 pm via Zoom
Opening Talk: Finding Your Ancestors

Tony Burroughs, renowned author, teacher, and genealogy consultant to Henry Louis Gates for his PBS program African American Lives 2, has identified six phases of genealogy as the building blocks of African-American family history research. His talk will help those researching their family histories to better understand what types of records to seek out first, as well as the obstacles and complexities associated with each. Burroughs taught genealogy at Chicago State University for 15 years. He is the author of Black Roots: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree.

Saturday, June 19

9:00-10:00 am via Zoom
“When Peace Come”: The Significance of Juneteenth
Dr. Lauranett Lee, Adjunct History Professor, University of Richmond & Public History Consultant
Corey Hancock, Jr., Counselor, Virginia Commonwealth University
Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the US. But there’s a lot more to know about Juneteenth than meets the eye. Come and learn!

10:30-11:30 am via Zoom
The Warmth – Young Adults Telling the Truth 
A creative representation from a weeklong, residential reading and writing intensive hosted at Richmond Hill for black adults between the ages of 18 and 25 focused on African Diasporic history, Richmond history, personal history and personal development. Intensive facilitator, Nikki Fernandes, Creative Writing Instructor, Virginia Commonwealth University will moderate.

12:00 pm Midday Prayers in the Chapel

12:30 pm and 1:30 pm in the Richmond Hill garden
Family History Fair. Ask a Genealogist!
Bring your family tree if you have one and/or names, dates and places to discuss with members of the Afro-American Genealogy and History Society of Richmond (AAHGS). They will provide expert assistance and important historical context via personal consultations with participating individuals and families on a first come-first serve basis. Refreshments will be provided.

12:30 pm and 1:30 pm in the Richmond Hill garden
Archaeology Tours led by Richmond Hill Archaeologists Tim Roberts & Ellen Chapman
This tour, facilitated by leading archeologists who are establishing and improving the narrative of this place through their work to unearth the lives and stories of Africans and African during years of enslavement, will introduce participants to the early findings and next steps. This is a free event, but tickets are required for the limited spots.

3:30-4:30 pm via Zoom
The Neighbors: Church Hill & African American History 
What can we learn about African American history in our neighborhood when we pool our information? We’ll find out! This panel features: Nathan Hall, National Park Service for Maggie Walker, Elizabeth Van Lew and Mary Bowser Richards sites; Amelie Wilmer, St. John’s Episcopal Church; Benjamin Ross, Sixth Street Baptist Church; and Tim Roberts, Richmond Hill archaeologist. Ana Edwards with the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project will moderate.

5:00-5:30 pm in the Richmond Hill garden (limited tickets)
Judy’s Story performed by Heritage Ensemble Theater Founder & Director Margarette Joyner
Drawing on primary and secondary sources and creative interpretation, Margarette Joyner dramatizes the long life of Judy, a woman enslaved on this property during the Civil War.

6:00 pm Evening Prayers in the Chapel

7:00-8:00 pm via Zoom
“Night of a Thousand Conversations”: TEACH-IN on Reparative Acts (HR 40)
Join Tina Slaughter, Coming to the Table – Richmond (CTTT), Richmond Hill and thousands of people around the country in learning how to create a culture of repair for past and continuing injustices.

Sunday, June 20

10:00 AM-noon, via Zoom and in-person
Juneteenth Sunday – Richmond Hill Community Worships with Local African American Churches including Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Shiloh Baptist Church, Fourth Baptist Church and St. Paul’s Baptist Church. Join members of the Richmond Hill community in celebrating Juneteenth with neighboring churches. Simply show up or log on! There is no need to register.

In-person Worship Options:

  • First Shiloh Baptist Church, 8150 Walnut Grove,Mechanicsville
    Look for Lisa Johnson 
  • St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, 2712 2nd Ave, Richmond
    Look for Cathy Woodson
  • St. Phillips Episcopal Church, 2900 Hanes Ave, Richmond
    Look for Vicki Marshall Seymore or Eric Armstrong

Online Worship Options:

12:30-1:00 pm in the Richmond Hill garden
African-centered Ritual Paying Homage to Enslaved Ancestors at Richmond Hill
Historical strategist and social entrepreneur Free Yannoh Bangura will lead an African-centered ceremony honoring the labor and resilience of enslaved laborers on the property.

1:30-3:30 pm in the Richmond Hill garden 
Family History Fair. Ask a Genealogist! 
Bring your family tree if you have one and/or names, dates and places to discuss with members of the Afro-American Genealogy and History Society of Richmond (AAHGS). They will provide expert assistance and important historical context via personal consultations with participating individuals and families on a first come-first serve basis. Refreshments will be provided.

1:30-2:00 PM and 2:30-3:00 PM in the Richmond Hill garden
Archaeology Tours led by Richmond Hill Archaeologists Tim Roberts & Ellen Chapman
This tour, facilitated by leading archeologists who are establishing and improving the narrative of this place through their work to unearth the lives and stories of Africans and African during years of enslavement, will introduce participants to the early findings and next steps.  This is a free event, but tickets are required for the limited spots.)

3:30-4:00 pm in the Richmond Hill garden
Judy’s Story performed by Heritage Ensemble Theater Founder & Director Margarette Joyner
Drawing on primary and secondary sources and creative interpretation, Margarette Joyner dramatizes the long life of Judy, a woman enslaved on this property during the Civil War.

5:00 pm in the Richmond Hill garden
Carter Farms – Dinner and a Race Conversation (by invitation)
Carter Farms is a century farm in the Piedmont region of Virginia that specializes in growing ethnic, African tropical vegetables organically. Michael Carter Jr. converted it from beef cattle, swine and hay production operation to an ethnic vegetable afrotourism teaching farm that shares its Africulture in an interdisciplinary platform. An exclusive dinner with a traditional African/African American /African meal and a focused discussion on race in America. (by invitation)

6:00 pm Evening Prayers in the Chapel

Announcements

Support our friends and neighbors!

St. Peter’s and St. John’s Episcopal Churches will host a joint gathering in Commemoration of Juneteenth on Saturday, June 19, 2021
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-freedom-day-tickets-156264373949
For questions/concerns, please contact: The Rev. Dr. Dorothy White, Interim Vicar, St. Peter’s Church revdrdorothyawhite@gmail.com

Stop by and visit RVA-Rapid Transit in the Richmond Hill garden on Saturday, June 19, 12:30-2:30 to learn how to take full advantage of FREE service through December that can transport you to work or play!

Register Here

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Donation Information

THE SUGGESTED DONATION FOR AN OPEN ENTRY PASS IS $25. Please note that some events have limited entry and tickets are first-come, first-served. PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN. No one will be turned away. Your generous donation makes it possible for Richmond Hill to continue offering programs like this and making them available to people from all income levels. Thank you!


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