On June 19, the Bowne House celebrated Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, an American holiday acknowledging the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth is an exploration and celebration of African-American history and heritage, a long arduous ordeal commencing with the first enslaved African Americans brought to this country in 1619. Although we cannot celebrate with each other in person as we had hoped, this virtual acknowledgement is a sign of our respect and recognition of the importance of examining this history.
We must acknowledge the efforts made by so many in the last three centuries to see equal justice under the law for all, including Bowne House residents’ participation in the Underground Railroad to assist fugitive slaves to escape to freedom. Bowne and Parsons residents also helped to form the Flushing Female Association in 1814 which provided free education to a mixed racial group of students, including children of former Flushing slaves. In that tradition, museums like the Bowne House, a New York City Landmark, continue to educate and facilitate an examination of history and lessons to be learned for the future as we as a society consider how we can best live up to the values in the U.S. Constitution to fully embrace the humanity of each of us.