MUSCATINE, IOWA (June 5, 2019) — Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is an American holiday celebrated throughout the United States each year. Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1865 throughout the former Confederate States of America. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce that the war had ended and that all slaves were now free. This was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
To celebrate this important date, the Muscatine Art Center will host a panel discussion where guests will share their experiences and reflections on the ways in which area residents have crossed cultural and racial divides. This program is inspired by Alexander Clark and the Muscatine community and surrounding small towns that aided Clark’s efforts. The program will be held on Thursday, June 13, at 5:30PM in the Muscatine Art Center’s Music Room.
Historian Annabell Williams-Blegen will lead the panelist in their discussion. Each presenter will connect their stories with the era of Alexander Clark and what was going on in Muscatine and the state of Iowa at the time. The goal of this panel discussion is to expose the strengths among cultures that came about through unity and understanding of one another.
Veronica Barrera will discuss the early migration of her culture to the Muscatine area and how it connects with African-American groups who first came to the area, and the support that developed between the cultures.
Retired teacher Karen Bartachek, who was Iowa’s first woman band director, will speak about the different struggles she had, illustrating that it was not just the color of one’s skin that could hold someone back.
Arlene Geer from the small town of Big Rock, Iowa, will discuss the important travels of abolitionist John Brown and the involvement of the surrounding towns in the Underground Railroad.
As a panel discussion, members of the audience can ask the panelists questions directly. Come and be a part of the discussion!
Admission to this program is free and open to the public. The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue, Muscatine, Iowa.
Visit www.muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events and to download a class brochure.
