Belpre museum starts what it hopes will become Juneteenth tradition
Farmer’s Castle Museum collections manager Christopher Lohr speaks during a Juneteenth observance Sunday afternoon at the Belpre museum. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Farmer’s Castle Museum collections manager Christopher Lohr speaks during a Juneteenth observance Sunday afternoon at the Belpre museum. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Farmer’s Castle Museum collections manager Christopher Lohr speaks during a Juneteenth observance Sunday afternoon at the Belpre museum. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Farmer’s Castle Museum collections manager Christopher Lohr speaks during a Juneteenth observance Sunday afternoon at the Belpre museum. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Trending
BELPRE -- Juneteenth may be the newest federal holiday, but its celebration of the end of slavery in the United States is part of the history of Belpre.
That's what Farmer's Castle Museum collections manager Christopher Lohr told the small group that assembled at the museum Sunday afternoon to mark the occasion.
Belpre, Washington County and Ohio were part of the Northwest Territory, which was established as a land "free from enslavement," he said. The Underground Railroad network that helped slaves escape to freedom ran right through this area.
"To us here, this is not abstract," he said after the presentation. "This took place on this very soil. I could walk you down to the river right now and show you where people got off the boats."
Drawing on material from the National Museum of African American History in Washington, D.C., and Wikipedia, Lohr explained the origin of Juneteenth. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on Jan. 1, 1863, not all slaves in Confederate territory were freed at once. On June 19, 1865, Union troops landed at Galveston, Texas, bringing news that the Civil War had ended.
"This day has been observed for 150 years, starting in East Texas," Lohr said, noting various celebrations have been held around the world. "And today … it comes home to us."
Usually open 1-4 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays and by appointment, with admission by donation, the museum at 509 Ridge St. off Washington Boulevard in Belpre was open at no charge Sunday afternoon. There was a special emphasis on the Underground Railroad exhibit based around the works of the late local historian Henry Burke.
"He was very instrumental in setting this place up," said Belpre Historical Society member Kelly Cox, noting books by Burke on the subject are for sale at the museum.
Belpre resident Karen Logan said she appreciated the observance.
"I think it's an important job that they (the historical society) do," she said.
Though only a handful of people attended the informal 2 p.m. ceremony, Charlotte Powell, historical society president and director of the museum, said she hopes it grows in years to come.
"Mighty oaks from little acorns grow," she said. "So this is the beginning of something we hope to be big."
Evan Bevins can be reached at newsandsentinel.com.