Celebration Will Honor

Emancipation Of Slaves

WATERBURY — The Mattatuck Museum and Obey Foundation will sponsor a Juneteenth Celebration on Thursday, June 17, from 7 to 8:30 pm, at the Mattatuck Museum.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. It was originally held on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, when Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that all slaves were now free.

The Mattatuck program will feature Sounds of Afrika, an African drum and dance troupe; the artist and poet Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, Neo-Soul recording artist Kevin Haden, and other special guests.

The program is open to the public. Suggested donation is $5 per person.

The museum is at 144 West Main Street, with parking available directly behind the museum on Park Place.

For information call the museum at 203-753-0381 extension 10 or visit wwww.MattatuckMuseum.org for additional information.