Montgomery Parks will commemorate Juneteenth with a series of educational and family-friendly events at historic sites across Montgomery County beginning June 13. The annual observance recognizes June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Texas learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
The week of events begins with the Family Day: Henson Birthday Celebration on Saturday, June 13, from 10am to 4pm at the Josiah Henson Museum and Park. The free event will feature family activities, hands-on experiences, and programs honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Josiah Henson, who was enslaved in Montgomery County before escaping to freedom and later assisting others through the Underground Railroad. International storyteller Baba-C is scheduled to perform at 2pm.
On Juneteenth, Friday, June 19, visitors can return to the Josiah Henson Museum and Park from 10am to 4pm to explore exhibits and participate in interactive activities highlighting local Black history. Admission is $7 for adults and $6 for seniors and children.
Also on June 19, the Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park will host a Juneteenth program from 10am to 4pm. Guests can tour the museum and learn about Montgomery County’s history, Black communities, and the Underground Railroad. Visitors can also explore the site’s Underground Railroad Experience Trail, which remains open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Residents can also visit the Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park, which offers a year-round augmented reality experience. The historic site tells the story of life after emancipation and the community of free Black families that formed around the cabin. Using mobile devices, visitors can access audio narratives in seven languages, virtual recreations, and interactive three-dimensional exhibits.
Montgomery Parks is also serving as a co-sponsor of the Annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival on June 19. The celebration includes a Children’s Carnival from 11am to 5pm at Cabin John Regional Park featuring rides, games, performances, a petting zoo, food vendors, and family activities. The day continues with a 6pm dinner, a baseball game at Shirley Povich Field, and fireworks following the game.
Additional information about Montgomery Parks’ Juneteenth programming is available through Montgomery Parks.
