703-324-8700
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Jai Cole,
Executive Director
The Fairfax County Park Authority is committed to sharing stories, artifacts and archives to recognize the contributions, struggle and history of African-Americans in Fairfax County and our parks. Commemorate Juneteenth with programs, tours or blog offerings from the Park Authority.
On June 19, 1865, the last of enslaved Black people living in Galveston, Texas were told the Civil War had ended; the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln; and all Black people were now free from the bondage of slavery. This date came to be known as Juneteenth and is now a day to celebrate freedom and resiliency after 246 years of enslavement; appreciate African American history and culture; and encourage continuous self-development. To share additional information for potential inclusion on this page, please email parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
On June 19, 1865, the last of enslaved Black people living in Galveston, Texas were told the Civil War had ended; the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln; and all Black people were now free from the bondage of slavery. This date came to be known as Juneteenth and is now a day to celebrate freedom and resiliency after 246 years of enslavement; appreciate African American history and culture; and encourage continuous self-development. To share additional information for potential inclusion on this page, please email parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
In commemoration of Juneteenth, Sully Historic Site will have free Forgotten Road Tours Juneteenth weekend in 2022.
Offered by advance reservation online.
This 45-minute tour is of Sully’s outbuildings and slave quarter area, highlighting the daily work and history of the enslaved community at Sully during the 18th century.
Did you know that Ethel Earley Clark, highlighted in pink, was one of four founding members of the Negro Garden Clubs of Virginia (later the Federated State Garden Clubs)? She was also the first elected president of the organization in 1932. Earley Clark's work was a catalyst for a growing number of African- American garden clubs throughout Virginia. Earley Clark encouraged the beautification of the community not only through gardening but also through activism and civic engagement. Learn more about seminal figures like her at Green Spring Gardens’ Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday June 18, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Source: Garden Clubs Plant Seeds Of Change
Photo courtesy of Norfolk Journal and Guide and Abra Lee @conquerthesoil.
Did you know that Ethel Earley Clark, highlighted in pink, was one of four founding members of the Negro Garden Clubs of Virginia (later the Federated State Garden Clubs)? She was also the first elected president of the organization in 1932. Earley Clark's work was a catalyst for a growing number of African- American garden clubs throughout Virginia. Earley Clark encouraged the beautification of the community not only through gardening but also through activism and civic engagement. Learn more about seminal figures like her at Green Spring Gardens’ Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday June 18, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Source: Garden Clubs Plant Seeds Of Change
Photo courtesy of Norfolk Journal and Guide and Abra Lee @conquerthesoil.
Did you know that Millie Lawson Bethell Paxton was the founding president of the Ideal Garden Club in Roanoke, Virginia, formed with 32 members in October 1929? Paxton was both a gardener and a political activist, empowering many women with her leadership and activism. Join Green Spring Gardens’ Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn more about amazing Black female leaders and gardeners throughout history.
Source: Margaret Edds, "Millie Lawson Bethell Paxton (1875–1939)," Dictionary of Virginia Biography, Library of Virginia (1998–), published 2020, accessed [5/25/22]
Photo courtesy of the Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries.
Did you know that Millie Lawson Bethell Paxton was the founding president of the Ideal Garden Club in Roanoke, Virginia, formed with 32 members in October 1929? Paxton was both a gardener and a political activist, empowering many women with her leadership and activism. Join Green Spring Gardens’ Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn more about amazing Black female leaders and gardeners throughout history.
Source: Margaret Edds, "Millie Lawson Bethell Paxton (1875–1939)," Dictionary of Virginia Biography, Library of Virginia (1998–), published 2020, accessed [5/25/22]
Photo courtesy of the Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries.
Did you know that Anne Spencer was the first African-American woman poet published in the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry? Did you also know that the Anne Spencer House in Lynchburg, Virginia is open to the public every day? Not only was Spencer a famous poet and civil rights activist but she also enjoyed gardening. The Anne Spencer Garden has been restored twice by the Hillside Garden Club. Join Green Spring Gardens’ Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn more about amazing Black female leaders and gardeners throughout history.
Source: The Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum
Photo courtesy of Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University.
Did you know that Anne Spencer was the first African-American woman poet published in the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry? Did you also know that the Anne Spencer House in Lynchburg, Virginia is open to the public every day? Not only was Spencer a famous poet and civil rights activist but she also enjoyed gardening. The Anne Spencer Garden has been restored twice by the Hillside Garden Club. Join Green Spring Gardens’ Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn more about amazing Black female leaders and gardeners throughout history.
Source: The Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum
Photo courtesy of Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University.
In 1777, gentleman freeholder John Moss (c. 1723-1809) established Green Spring Farm in Alexandria. Today, the family home that was built in 1784 is open to the public as the Historic House at Green Spring Gardens. As a landowner and a justice of the county court who had served George Washington during the Revolutionary War, Moss was no doubt influenced by the enlightened ideals that triggered the revolution and led to growing unease over the legitimacy of slavery. Yet many “enlightened” enslavers continued to uphold the practice, including John Moss.
At Green Spring Gardens, friendships have been forged over afternoon tea, a social ritual that has been connecting people for centuries. A bronze sculpture named “Let’s Have Tea” in Rochester, New York, depicts two unlikely friends bonding over cups of tea and provides food for thought on Juneteenth...
American history is shaped by all who participate. That includes the millions of enslaved people who did not always have a voice. The institution of slavery came in many forms. One was the hiring out, or renting, of enslaved people. The Machen family at Walney Farm...
“All slaves are free.”
Our country celebrates those words on Juneteenth. It was June 19, 1865, when U. S. General Gordon Granger read aloud General Orders No. 3, “…in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”
Federal troops had arrived in Galveston, Texas, to regain control of the state. Six months later, on December 6, 1865, Congress ratified the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, formally ending slavery in the United States...
Want to learn more about Juneteenth and why this day is special? Explore the Fairfax County Public Library Juneteenth reading list, videos and other resources.
