Celebrating Juneteenth across the state

Delawareans across the state celebrated Black history this June during the third national commemoration of a longtime holiday celebrated by many communities since slavery ended in 1865.

This year, the Friends of Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site hosted a Juneteenth program on Monday, June 19, while Zwaanendael Museum hosted “Mock Freedom: Delaware’s Black Codes” on Saturday, June 17, in honor of Juneteenth. Both events were filled with song, community and reflections on the past and future.

Rick Deadwyler, Board Chair of the United Way of Delaware, speaks to the audience at the Friends of Cooch's Bridge Historic Site Juneteenth event about the importance of giving all children equal opportunities in education and what can happen when there are disparities. Photo by Dan Citron. — Rick Deadwyler, Board Chair of the United Way of Delaware, speaks to the audience at the Friends of Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site Juneteenth event about the importance of giving all children equal opportunities in education and what can happen when there are disparities. Photo by Dan Citron.

The “Mock Freedom: Delaware’s Black Codes” program focused on a series of laws created by the State of Delaware to purposefully oppress the African American community. After reading the laws, participants were encouraged discuss the lasting effects of discriminatory laws and how they affected Black Delawareans. The program, which was created by First State Heritage Park, is designed to encourage individuals to explore and share their thoughts and emotions on this dark part of Delaware’s history. The Zwaanendael Museum hopes to run the program again in the future.

The brick exterior of the Zwaanendael Museum — Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes hosted “Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes hosted the “Mock Freedom: Delaware’s Black Codes” program on Juneteenth 2023, educating participants on a series of laws created by the State of Delaware to purposefully oppress the African American community. Photos by Vertie Lee.

A flyer that explains the “Mock Freedom: Delaware’s Black Codes” program, which focuses on a series of laws created by the State of Delaware to purposefully oppress the African American community. Photos by Vertie Lee. — Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes hosted “Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes hosted the “Mock Freedom: Delaware’s Black Codes” program on Juneteenth 2023, educating participants on a series of laws created by the State of Delaware to purposefully oppress the African American community. Photos by Vertie Lee.