A Celebration of Freedom on June 14

April 14, 2025

PHILADELPHIA, April 16 2025—In advance of the official federal holiday, the Penn Museum will host its annual Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Admission is free for everyone. The family-friendly festival commemorates the importance of June 19, 1865, which marks the official emancipation of enslaved people in Texas.

From 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Forum Philly will open the day with its annual Juneteenth Honors]  Program in Harrison Auditorium. It highlights K-12 students and educators who developed educational projects as part of the 2025 Juneteenth Schools Initiative (25JSI)—through which Juneteenth-centered learning will take place in public, charter, and faith-based K-12 schools, reaching thousands of students across the Philadelphia, William Penn, and Southeast Delaware County districts.

“The collected observance of Juneteenth reminds us that good can happen when we persevere for equality, freedom, and liberty guaranteed to all Americans in the U.S. Constitution,” says Dr. Malcolm T. Byrd, President of Forum Philly and a member of the Penn Museum’s Community Advisory Group, which advocates for community-informed partnerships like this one. “Likewise, our 2025 Juneteenth Schools Initiative empowers K-12 students as primary contributors to the framing of a historically rich civic education that better informs their peers. We encourage students and their parents to be intentional about getting a well-rounded  fact-based historical perspective on American history and the importance of preserving democracy, freedom, and the dignity of all by how we respect and learn about others."

Beginning at 12:00 pm, the Penn Museum’s Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom offers free access to its world-renowned galleries and exhibitions until 5:00 pm, with festivities outdoors in historic Stoner Courtyard running until 6:00 pm. 

Now in its third year, the Penn Museum’s all-afternoon Juneteenth festival features: 

· Event host Starfire and DJ  curate a high-energy celebration of community

· Live performances from XYZ

· All-ages interactive workshops, such as African drumming led by Karen Smith; Double Dutch with Philly Girls Jump; and line dancing with Kenny J

· Inspirational storytelling with Black Boys Makin’ Noise

· Fun educational activities, such as Adinkra symbol art-making, plus a chance to touch replica artifacts at “Cartifact” stations

· “Daily Dig” pop-up talks in the galleries describe one artifact in 15 minutes

· A marketplace spotlighting local Black-owned businesses and organizations that are focused on health and wellness

· Food trucks offering sweet and savory fare for purchase, plus the Penn Museum Café is open from 10:00 am-3:00 pm.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket or portable chairs to relax in the gardens and enjoy the outdoor performances.

Dr. Tia Jackson-Truitt, Director of Staff and Community Engagement at the Penn Museum, says the festival builds on the success of previous celebrations and welcomes everyone to participate. 

“In consultation with our Penn Museum Community Advisory Group, we continue to cultivate impactful events that serve our neighbors. By partnering with local organizations, Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedomhighlights community resources, showcases immense talent, and creates a culturally enriching environment for all,” Dr. Jackson-Truitt says. “It is an honor to welcome back returning visitors and introduce new community members to the vast array of resources the Museum can share.] 

Advance registration is required to receive free tickets to attend each event:
More information about the Forum Philly Juneteenth Honors Program is available   

https://FP25Juneteenthhonors.eventbrite.com
Registration for the Penn Museum’s Juneteenth: A Celebration of freedom can be found here.

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ABOUT FORUM PHILLY

Established in 2019, the Philadelphia Forum for Faith, Law, and Civis (Forum Philly) promotes the spiritual wellness, economic viability, civic interests, social stability, and political equity of African-Americans through its work under the leadership of its Founding President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Malcolm T. Byrd. For more information, visit www.forumphilly.org or follow @forum.philly on Instagram.

 

ABOUT THE PENN MUSEUM 

The Penn Museum’s mission is to be a center for inquiry and the ongoing exploration of humanity for our University of Pennsylvania, regional, national, and global communities, following ethical standards and practices. 

Through conducting research, stewarding collections, creating learning opportunities, sharing stories, and creating experiences that expand access to archaeology and anthropology, the Museum builds empathy and connections across diverse cultures. 

The Penn Museum is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm. On first Wednesdays of the month, it is open until 8:00 pm. The Café is open Tuesday–Thursday, 9:00 am–3:00 pm and Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am–2:00 pm. On Sundays, the Café is open 10:30 am–2:30 pm. For information, visit www.penn.museum, call 215.898.4000, or follow @PennMuseum on social media. 

Yahne’ A. Jackson, Owner & Publicist, publiSISgrind
 connect@publisisgrind.com, 484-430-1347

Jill DiSanto, Public Relations Director, Penn Museum
 jdisanto@upenn.edu, 215-898-2956

For updated information, visit www.penn.museum, call 215.898.4000, or follow @PennMuseum on social media.