Juneteenth Celebration – FREE Admission

Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Join us for a FREE day celebrating and recognizing the impact of African American history and heritage in Indiana through crafts, videos, food and exhibits.

Check out all of the latest exhibits at IHS, including the temporary exhibit The Great War: From Ration Lines to the Front Lines. During select hours, visitors can try their hands at different crafts, including making seed art and mosaic flags. Visit the Frank and Katrina Basile Theater to see short videos about the history of Juneteenth.

Don’t miss out on a special Flavors of the Heartland, where we will try out some foods related to the holiday. Activities will be available 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; all exhibits will remain open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Juneteenth is celebrated annually to commemorate June 19, 1865, the date that the last group of enslaved African Americans were freed by federal troops as a result of the Union victory in the Civil War. It is notable that members of Indiana’s 28th Regiment of Colored Troops served in Galveston, Texas, and were there on Juneteenth. Celebrated for over a century, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.