Marietta College invites the campus and greater Marietta community to join in commemorating Juneteenth National Independence Day with a special celebration on Friday, June 13, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Hermann Fine Arts Center.
Although the federal holiday is officially recognized on June 19, this early celebration offers a meaningful opportunity to honor the historical significance of Juneteenth—the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Today, Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder of resilience, liberation, and the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality in the United States.
This educational and cultural event is free and open to the public. It will feature historical reenactments by acclaimed guest speakers:
- Lew A. Welge as President Abraham Lincoln
- Michael Crutcher as Frederick Douglass
- Lawrence Greene, presenting a live demonstration of traditional West African rhythms using djembes and djun drums
Attendees will receive free educational materials and literature exploring the historical context of the Emancipation Proclamation, its local relevance, and the broader impact of Juneteenth on American society.
This celebration is co-sponsored by the Mid-Ohio Valley Civil War Round Table, the Noto Family Fund for Diversity and Inclusion, Noto Family Fund for Diversity in the Arts, and the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges.