New London, CT – Join Connecticut Landmarks and the NAACP-New London Branch as we celebrate Juneteenth. We will highlight the African-American history of the Hempsted House and the surrounding neighborhood on Saturday, June 10th from noon to 4 pm. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States announced by Union soldiers in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free. The celebration will feature storytelling, drumming, gospel music, dance, and a dash of history. Enjoy art making opportunities for children and adults, and tabling by New London’s non-profit community.
Admission to the Hempsted Houses and Juneteenth is FREE as part of CT Open House Day. Sponsored by the Connecticut Office of Tourism, the one-day statewide event is designed to showcase Connecticut’s diverse world of history, art & tourism. A great way for residents to discover or rediscover all that is happening in our state.
On Sunday, June 11th, In His Presence Ministries will hold their Sunday service at the Hempsted Houses from 11:30 am to 1 pm.
About The Hempsted Houses
The 1678 Joshua Hempsted House is the oldest house in New London and is one of New England’s best-documented dwellings. Adjacent to the Joshua Hempsted House is a rare stone house built in 1759 by Nathaniel Hempsted. Both structures survived the 1781 burning of New London and stand today as testaments of 17th and 18th-century daily life.
About Connecticut Landmarks
Founded in 1936, Connecticut Landmarks is the largest state-wide heritage museum organization in Connecticut. The historic, landmark properties span four centuries of Connecticut history and include: the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem; the Butler-McCook House & Garden and Main Street History Center, Hartford; the Buttolph-Williams House, Wethersfield; the Hempsted Houses, New London; the Isham-Terry House, Hartford; the Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry; the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden, Suffield. Connecticut Landmarks’ mission is to inspire interest and encourage learning about the American past by preserving selected historic properties, collections and stories and presenting programs that meaningfully engage the public and our communities. For more information, please visit www.ctlandmarks.org.