Civic Season

Black Texas Tales
2025-06-18 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Colonial Williamsburg, 301 S. Nassau St., Williamsburg, VA, 23185, United States
Hear master storyteller Sheila Arnold share the comedic and poignant stories of Black Texans as their freedom began on June 19, 1865. You may hear about Aunt Dicy, who liked a little snuff and loved a good story, along with other Black Texans and folktales. Many of these stories were collected by J. Mason Brewer, a noted African American Texas folklorist, and give honor to his oral narrative work.

Freedom Song Sing-along
2025-06-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Colonial Williamsburg, 301 S. Nassau St., Williamsburg, VA, 23185, United States
Join Dr. Kathy Bullock, renowned educator and performer, for an interactive sing-along program exploring songs of slavery and emancipation. Dr. Bullock reveals the deep resilience, faith, and longing for freedom that spirituals, work songs, and abolitionist anthems convey. Audiences will experience the historical and emotional journeys of these powerful melodies, gaining insight into their enduring cultural significance. Dr. Bullock’s infectious passion and expertise in African American music create an uplifting and unforgettable experience that celebrates the strength and unity forged through music.

Fugitive Data Portraits: Self-Emancipation in Virginia
2025-06-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | IN
Join Virginia Humanities Fellow Tev’n Powers for an online discussion about his research at the Library of Virginia to develop Fugitive Data Portraits, a new website to amplify collective and individual stories of escaping slavery in the Commonwealth. Register to receive the link.

Juneteenth Day of Activities
2025-06-18 10:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Meadow Farm Museum, 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, VA, 23060, United States
Discover the history of Juneteenth through arts, crafts, and other hands-on activities. Information: sch107@henrico.gov

Contributing Veteran Stories to the National Veterans Memorial Museum Story Collection
2025-06-18 00:00 UTC | IN
Listen to conversations with veterans about their service in the NVMM Story Collection archive, then record and share your own conversation with a veteran in your family or community!
All those touched by military service, including active service members, Veterans, spouses, children, friends, and community members are invited to record a conversation with or about a veteran. At the end of the conversation, you will receive a digital copy of the interview, while a second copy will be preserved in the NVMM Story Collection and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
By adding to the NVMM Story Collection, you ensure the legacy of service lives on – not just in history books, but in the hearts and minds of future generations!

Slice of History: Excavate Artifacts at Lab Night
2025-06-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Center of Archaeology, Preservation, and Education (CAPE), 6783 Main Street, Gloucester, VA, 23061, United States
On the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month, Fairfield hosts a lab night where the public can wash artifacts from current excavations alongside staff archaeologists. On June 17, our lab night will transform into a pizza party! While enjoying a slice of pizza and washing local artifacts, you will handle and discuss items once used by people in the past, and explore how learning about these items can benefit our future.

From Slavery to Freedom Film Series: "American Coup: Wilmington 1898"
2025-06-17 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222, United States
Presented as part of the From Slavery to Freedom Film Series, “American Coup: Wilmington 1898” tells the little-known story of a deadly race massacre and carefully orchestrated insurrection in North Carolina’s largest city in 1898 — the only coup d’état in the history of the US.
Stoking fears of “Negro Rule,” self-described white supremacists used intimidation and violence to destroy Black political and economic power and overthrow Wilmington’s democratically elected, multi-racial government. Black residents were murdered and thousands were banished. The story of what happened in Wilmington was suppressed for decades until descendants and scholars began to investigate. Today, many of those descendants — Black and white — seek the truth about this intentionally buried history.
Following the screening, award-winning documentarian and director of “American Coup: Wilmington 1898,” Yoruba Richen will discuss the film. An award-winning filmmaker, Richen’s work has been featured on multiple outlets, including Netflix, MSNBC, FX, HBO, The Atlantic, and Field of Vision.
This program is part of Civic Season a nationwide initiative presented in partnership with the Smithsonian and the History Made By Us coalition.
Civic Season is a key component of the History Center’s America 101 initiative, supported by the Nimick Forbesway Foundation and The Grable Foundation. America 101 is designed to engage the public in learning more about American history and civics through public programs, exhibitions, digital tools, and educational curriculum.

Civic Chat: Today’s Superheroes Guiding Tomorrow’s Changemakers
2025-06-17 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Denver) | Laramie County Library, 2200 Pioneer Avenue, Cheyenne, WY, 82001, United States
It takes people of all kinds to shape our communities and our country for the better. Learn whether you’re a nurturer, defender, connector or amplifier—your unique Civic Superpower can change the world.
Cheyenne’s We the People students will lead inspiring and energizing conversations with local Civic Superheroes who will share their experiences, give advice, and explore the countless ways we can all unleash our Civic Superpowers!
See details and RSVP at tinyurl.com/civicsuper.

Pursuits of Knowledge
2025-06-17 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center, 1050 Monticello Loop, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
In celebration of Civic Season at Monticello, join us for a conversation with bestselling historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist H.W. Brands on his book, Founding Partisans: Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams and the Brawling Birth of American Politics, a revelatory history on the shocking emergence of vicious political division at the birth of the United States.
To the framers of the Constitution, political parties were a fatal threat to republican virtues. They had suffered the consequences of partisan politics in Britain before the American Revolution, and they wanted nothing similar for America. Yet parties emerged even before the Constitution was ratified, and they took firmer root in the following decade. In Founding Partisans, Brands crafts a fresh and lively narrative of the early years of the republic as the Founding Fathers fought one another with competing visions of what our nation would be.

Slice of History: Trivia Night!
2025-06-17 16:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Watkins Glen Public Library, 610 S Decatur St, New York, NY, 14891, United States
IT’S TRIVIA NIGHT! Join us for free pizza and fun on Tuesday, June 17 from 4:30pm-6pm at the Watkins Glen Public Library (610 S Decatur Street). Questions will feature a mix of history (local, regional, national, and world), pop culture, and more. This is a DROP IN EVENT so you are not required to stay the entire time. The winner will be contacted the next day to pick up their prize!
This is a great opportunity to learn more about how you can become engaged in the community. Learn how to register to vote, where to find information on candidates, and how to locate accurate sources online.
We are excited to offer this program as part of 2025 Civic Season to encourage civic engagement in our communities. This program is sponsored by the Dutton S Peterson Memorial Library and the Watkins Glen Public Library. Pizza provided by Pizza to the Polls!
You may also like the following events from Watkins Glen Public Library:
This Saturday, 7th June, 02:00 pm, Miss Angie’s Music in Watkins Glen
This month, 18th June, 05:00 pm, Teen Night After Hours in Watkins Glen
This month, 21st June, 10:00 am, Picture This! An Introduction to Smartphone Photography in Watkins Glen

A Slice of History: Charlotte Lunchtime Trivia
2025-06-17 11:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Levine Museum of the New South, 224 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC, 28202, United States
Get ready to test your knowledge of Charlotte’s rich history in a fun and fast-paced trivia game! Join us during your lunch break at The Market at 7th Street for a quick round of trivia while enjoying a delicious slice of pizza from Geno D’s on us!
Drop in and see how much you know about Charlotte’s historic neighborhoods, influential figures, sports teams, and more. Grab a slice of pizza, challenge yourself with some trivia questions, and enter a raffle for exciting giveaways!
Admission is free!

Summer Camp
2025-06-17 09:00 - 2025-06-18 09:00 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of the Pacific War, 311 E Austin St, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
Step into history at our immersive WWII-themed summer camp, where kids become medics, codebreakers, pilots, and home front heroes. Through hands-on games, missions, and creative projects, campers learn the real stories behind the war that shaped the modern world. From building model planes to reenacting rescue races, every activity blends fun with meaningful lessons in teamwork, resilience, and history. It’s a summer of adventure, discovery, and connection – where the past comes alive.

Gem State Wish Wall
2025-06-17 00:00 UTC | Idaho State Museum, 610 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID, 83702, United States
From Juneteenth to the Fourth of July, Civic Season connects our newest and oldest federal holidays. The Idaho State Museum and cultural institutions nationwide are partnering with Made By Us. We invite all Americans to celebrate, learn, and take part in shaping the story of our country.
As we look ahead to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, share your hope for the future on the Gem State Wish Wall! What are your hopes for America’s future and our democracy? What matters most to you?
Write your wish on a star, and we’ll add wishes to the wall each day to share the many hopes and dreams that contribute to the ongoing story of the United States. The Gem State Wish Wall will be on display in the Museum’s Canyon Gallery from June 14-July 31.

From Freedom's Shadow: African Americans & the U.S. Capitol
2025-06-17 00:00 UTC | IN
This the online version of a traveling exhibit by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society that depicts the journey of African Americans from slavery to freedom and political representation in the U.S. Capitol.

Videos about Indian citizenship, both historical and modern
2025-06-17 00:00 UTC | IN
On May 23, 2024, the U.S. Capitol Historical Society hosted an in-person and live-streamed symposium commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act. The symposium featured several of the world’s leading scholars and authors of Native American history, culture, and politics who engaged in lively conversations about the broader and complicated issues of Indian citizenship, both historical and modern.
Image: “Girl on Horse” by Cedar Hunt of St. Ignatius, winner of Montana’s First Congressional District Congressional Art Competition.

Party in the Park
2025-06-15 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Pittman Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa Street, San Antonio, TX, 78203, United States
Come celebrate Juneteenth and Father’s Day with us!
Registration in advance is REQUIRED to get your $5 turkey leg + roasted corn combo. Get your tickets in advance to lock in this low cost dinner for Dad! Pittman-Sullivan Park will come alive with The Party In The Park, featuring non-stop music by DJ Rhythm and Beats from 6pm-8pm. Enjoy the games and activities for the entire family, along with mouth-watering offerings from a local food truck vendor. Loads of food, fun, and the fellowship!! This event will benefit the Davis-Scott YMCA, so show up and show your commitment to the community!
Pittman-Sullivan Park is located at 1101 Iowa Street. On-site donations by check should be made payable directly to Davis-Scott YMCA.

Women in the Jeffersonian Era
2025-06-15 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Meadow Farm Museum, 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, VA, 23060, United States
Women in the newly formed United States had a degree of independence that would slowly disappear as the 19th century advanced. Discover the lives of these intelligent and articulated women who witnessed the creation of a new nation. Be sure to explore the Give Me Liberty: Virginia and the Forging of a Nation travelling exhibit before or after the presentation. Information: sch107@henrico.gov

Celebrating Juneteenth: West African Rhythms and Movements
2025-06-15 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | JFK Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston, MA, 02125, United States
The multicultural Benkadi Drum and Dance group returns to the JFK Presidential Library and Museum to perform new dances showcasing traditional West African rhythms and movements. With vivid costumes, interpretive dance, and audience participation, join us in honor of Juneteenth!
The Celebrate! series, appropriate for family audiences and children ages 5 and up, highlights America’s rich cultural diversity through the arts. This program is tied directly to President and Mrs. Kennedy’s concern for and support of the arts and culture in a democratic society. This is an inclusive program and both people with and without disabilities are always welcomed. A Quiet Space is available for anyone who needs a break from the program at any time. Parking is free at the JFK Library.
Thanks to generous support from the Martin Richard Foundation and the Mass Cultural Council, all performances are free.

Juneteenth 2025
2025-06-15 10:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Atlanta History Center, 130 W Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA, 30305, United States
Join us for a free day filled with activities for the whole family as we celebrate Juneteenth and the enduring power of Black craftsmanship and artistry!
For generations, African American artisans have shaped history—turning raw materials into powerful narratives that echo across time. From ancestral techniques carried across oceans to bold, contemporary expressions that redefine artistry, Black craftsmanship is a testament to resilience, creativity, and cultural pride.
Through this year’s Juneteenth celebration, history comes alive through hands-on craft demonstrations and an exclusive conversation with author Robell Awake and Dr. Tiffany Momon. Engage with skilled makers who blend tradition with innovation, witness artistry in action, and discover your own creative voice within this rich legacy.

Juneteenth Sunrise Service
2025-06-15 06:00 - 08:00 (America/New_York) | Colonial Williamsburg, 301 S. Nassau St., Williamsburg, VA, 23185, United States
To commemorate the triumphant spirit of the African American journey, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation will host its second annual Juneteenth Sunrise Service on Sunday, June 15, at 6 a.m. at the majestic Compton Oak. This landmark tree symbolizes life, endurance, shelter, and joy.
The Juneteenth Sunrise Service is inspired by “Watch Night” – also referred to as “Freedom’s Eve” – a tradition in Black churches across the United States born out of the enslaved community’s “waiting for the hour” on the night of December 31, 1862. With the coming dawn, the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863.
The first documented Sunrise Service was conducted for Easter in 1732 by the Moravian community in Herrnhut, Germany. It appears that Moravians who came to the American colonies spread the tradition, which was taken up by several denominations, including Black and white churches. Southern Black churches sometimes combined the Easter Sunrise Service with an all-night vigil, such as the Easter Rock, which still survives in Louisiana. Sunrise Services in Black churches also celebrated other significant events, like the fall of Wilmington, North Carolina, to Union forces in February 1865.
Special keynote address by Dr. Daniel Black, award-winning novelist, professor, and public speaker.
Weather permitting.

Healdsburg Jazz Festival: Juneteenth Celebration on the Plaza
2025-06-14 14:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Healdsburg Plaza, Corner of Healdsburg Ave and Matheson St., Healdsburg, CA, 95448, United States
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 2-8 PM. Featuring live music by the Orrin Evans Trio, The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol & Tyreek McDole Quintet. These three stellar bands exemplify the power of music as a liberational force. In addition, the day will feature poet Enid Pickett, KCSM’s Greg Bridges, hands-on art workshops with Andi Wong, dance and percussion workshops with Susana Arenas, interesting vendors, and much more.
Juneteenth is the African American celebration of liberation two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Soon after the end of the Civil War, Black communities throughout the nation celebrated independence every June 19 with gatherings, delicious food, and of course good music.
Healdsburg Jazz is proud to present a diverse range of music, art, culture and education in honor of this holiday, free to the public in the Healdsburg Plaza. Our Juneteenth performances celebrate the wide range of Black music and art including gospel, early blues, New Orleans jazz, funk, R&B, spoken word, and straight-ahead modern swing. We will also have arts, crafts, and music workshops in the plaza for families and young people led by esteemed teaching artists. This is a free event, open to the public.
Juneteenth schedule
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm, Main Stage: Juneteenth libations by The Nubian Cafe Collective
2:15 pm – 2:25 pm, Main Stage: Healdsburg Jazz Poet Laureate Enid Pickett
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Gazebo: Afro-Cuban Dance Workshop #1 by Susana Arenas
3:00 pm – 4:15 pm, Main Stage: Tyreek McDole Quintet
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm, Gazebo: Afro-Cuban Dance Workshop #2 by Susana Arenas
5:00 pm – 6:15 pm, Main Stage: Orrin Evans Trio
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Main Stage: The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol and her All Star Trio with String Quartet

Juneteenth Celebration at Levine Museum
2025-06-14 12:00 - 2025-06-15 00:00 (America/New_York) | Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas, 1215 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC, 28205, United States
Levine Museum will be joining the Juneteenth Festival of The Carolinas celebration on Saturday, June 14th and Sunday, June 15th in Plaza Midwood. You can stop by our booth to explore community history and giveaways while enjoying the festival full of performances, art, food, and so much more.
Schedule:
June 12, 2025
Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Youth Culture camp
June 13, 2025
Friday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Drum Circle
June 14, 2025
Saturday, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Opening Ceremony,
Prayer, Juneteenth History, and Continuous Live Entertainment
June 15, 2025
Sunday, 11:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Gospel Fest, Continuous Live entertainment & Closing Ceremony

A Slice of History: Bob's Pop-Up Court
2025-06-14 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Robert H. Jackson Center, 305 E. 4th St., Jamestown, NY, 14701, United States
Bob’s Pop-Up Court
You be the judge.
Step into our pop-up courtroom and rule on real-life civic dilemmas—from youth curfews to online free speech. Inspired by Justice Robert H. Jackson, this interactive exhibit invites you to listen to short arguments, cast your vote, and reflect on what justice means today. Add your voice to the Justice Tree, make a civic pledge, or record your verdict for social media.
Bob’s Pop-Up Court is part of Civic Season and will be a temporary exhibit throughout the summer.

Freedom Tree in Missouri City, Texas
2025-06-14 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Fort Bend County Library – Sugar Land Branch, 550 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX, 77478, United States
A gathering of youth and young adults with games, trivia, conversation, food and fun which will focus on history and significance of Juneteenth in Missouri City, Texas. Trivia and games will include the history of America’s newest and oldest freedom holidays. Young people will discover how they can use their skills to shape America’s future and obtain resources to start their civic engagement journey.

The Lawn Party at Nook Farm
2025-06-14 11:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Nook Farm, 77 Forest Street, Hartford, CT, 06105, United States
Let’s Party 🎉
Saturday, June 14, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The Stowe Center for Literary Activism, Mark Twain House & Museum, and the Asylum Hill Neighborhood – AHNA invite you to join us for the Lawn Party at Nook Farm!
Gather your friends and family, pack your blankets and snacks, and get ready for a day full of excitement! Enjoy dancing, music, and a host of family activities including:
Free museum tours brought to you by CT Open House Day!
Lawn games.
Art activities.
Free hot dogs and icees.
Engagement with local social justice organizations.
Location: 77 Forest Street, Hartford, CT
Admission: Free! (No RSVP required). Complimentary parking; restrooms available!
We’re celebrating the birthday of Harriet Beecher Stowe; join us for cake cutting and a chance to engage in meaningful conversations about civic engagement, continuing the storied legacy of Nook Farm.
ADVOCATE SPONSOR
Stanley Black & Decker
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
Chubb Group of Insurance
FRIEND SPONSOR
BrightPath Centers for Early Learning & Child Care
Live music funded by the Evelyn W. Preston Memorial Trust Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
About Nook Farm:
Once a hub of civic engagement, Nook Farm was famously described by Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Joan Hedrick as a place where “there was no pot left unstirred.” Neighbors like Stowe and Twain often engaged in spirited discussions here. Through the Lawn Party, we honor that tradition by bringing the community together for this special event. We look forward to seeing you there for an unforgettable day of community and celebration at Nook Farm!

Kickoff to Civic Season Fish Fry and Juneteenth Celebration
2025-06-14 11:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Chattanooga Civic Center at Mountainside, 701 Hooker Rd, Chattanooga, TN, 37410, United States
In partnership with the Alton Park Development Corportation, the National Action Network of Chattanooga, Community Art Summit, and Made By Us, the United By Change Coalition (UBC) is kicking off our second annual Civic Season in Chattanooga with a neighborhood Fish Fry and Juneteenth Celebration!
WHEN: Saturday, June 14th from 11am to 5pm
WHERE: Chattanooga Civic Center at Mountainside – 701 Hooker Rd
WHAT: A day of honoring Chattanooga’s civil rights history with family, food, and fun!
The Tennessee Democracy Network and the United By Change Coalition are excited to join our local community partners, Made By Us, and hundreds of history and civic organizations nationwide for the 2025 Civic Season, held from Juneteenth to July 4th. Civic Season unites our nation’s oldest and newest civic holidays, turbo-charging democracy through the power of history.
Come learn and celebrate with us!

Juneteenth 2025: Community Wellness Day
2025-06-14 10:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 16th S N, Birmingham , AL, 35203, United States
In partnership with UAB Live HealthSmart & Jones Valley Teaching Farm
Kick off our Juneteenth celebrations by prioritizing your well-being. Stop by for free health screenings and wellness resources. Local farmers will lead hands-on workshops centered on seed planting, food justice, and small farming. Discover how caring for your health is a form of liberation.

Faces of Freedom: A 160th Juneteenth Celebration
2025-06-14 10:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Meadow Farm Museum, 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, VA, 23060, United States
Since 1619, people of African ancestry have been woven into the American tapestry. Our Faces of Freedom full-day event celebrates Africans and African Americans from the 1600s to today. Atumpan will perform traditional dance with drums to honor the first Africans to arrive in the Americas. Historical interpreters will be on-site and on stage to introduce themselves and how they found freedom in a society where that was not always legal or the norm. We will finish out our celebration with modern African American performances to showcase the joys and talents of the African American community today. For more information email sch107 @ henrico.gov

The American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibition on Tour
2025-06-14 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Ontario County Historical Society & Museum, 55 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY, 14424, United States
The Canandaigua Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Battlefield Trust are excited to feature the American Revolution Experience at the Ontario County Historical Society and Museum from June 14 – June 26, 2025.
The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation.

Pizza & Progress: Learning the Legacy of Black History in Iowa
2025-06-14 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA, 50322, United States
Explore Black History in Iowa
Saturday, June 14 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
All presentations, activities, and pizza included with $20 General Admission!
Although Iowa entered the Union as a free state in 1846, the Emancipation Proclamation issued in 1863 still reverberated here. Many Black Iowans had formerly been enslaved in other states. Others had family who had been enslaved. And even in this “free” state, Black citizens were denied full participation in our our democracy. Learn more about the legacy of Black history in Iowa.
Watch for a schedule of activities: https://www.lhf.org/event/emancipation-day/
Activities include:
3:30 p.m.: Historic Baseball on the Baseball Field
