Magnolia Plantation will host a three-day Juneteenth event from June 19 – 21, 2025. There will be two free evening events and a family-friendly living history event with actors in period attire giving demonstrations, storytellers, and performances on Saturday, June 21. SC Humanities supported this program with a Major Grant.
“Living Legacies: A Juneteenth Commemoration” is a special series of events commemorating the resilience, culture, and contributions of the African American community, honoring the voices and histories that continue to shape Magnolia.
Thursday, June 19 at 6 PM
Speaker Series featuring Polly Sheppard, Margaret Seidler, and John W. Jones
Light Out of Darkness: A Juneteenth Conversation with Polly Sheppard
The Church has long been a guiding light within the Black community, especially after the Civil War and emancipation. Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, founded in 1816, has served as a beacon of hope for Black Charlestonians. Join us for an evening of reflection with Polly Sheppard, a survivor of the tragic events of June 17, 2025, when a young man targeted Mother Emanuel. Polly will share her story and discuss the enduring significance of the church and the power of resilience in finding light amid darkness.
Payne-ful Business: Charleston’s Journey to Truth with Margaret Seidler & John W. Jones
This special Speaker Series event will feature author Margaret Seidler and artist John W. Jones as they discuss their collaboration on “Payne-ful Business: Charleston’s Journey to Truth,” which recently received the Phyllis Wheatley Book Award. Seidler will share her journey of uncovering her family’s genealogical past, while Jones will present his powerful illustrations that bring to life the stories of enslaved individuals. The event will also include a walking tour of eight of Jones’s paintings displayed in Magnolia’s restored slave cabins, offering a poignant visual connection to our history.
This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is requested
Info: https://www.magnoliaplantation.com/shop/p/speaker-sessions-juneteenth
Saturday, June 21 from 10 AM – 4 PM
Inalienable Rights: Living History Through the Eyes of the Enslaved
Celebrate Juneteenth with the Slave Dwelling Project’s Inalienable Rights, a living history event that shares the stories of enslaved people through engaging storytelling, artisan demonstrations, and dynamic presentations. This family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity to connect with living historians and learn more about the lives of the enslaved community beyond the fields. The Bright Family Singers will also present “Oh Happy Day!” at this event.
Living History Demonstrations
Storytellers
Musical Performances
Food Trucks
Free with garden admission; children 17 and under free
Info: https://www.magnoliaplantation.com/magnolia-events/a-juneteenth-commemoration
Saturday, June 21
A Tribute to the Lives & Legacies of those Formerly Enslaved at Magnolia
Join us as we come together to honor and remember the lives of those who were formerly enslaved at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. This solemn gathering will feature a powerful reading of their names, ensuring their stories are acknowledged and their legacies celebrated. The event will also include a special presentation on the history and importance of African American spirituals, along with an acapella performance titled “Two Americas” by Benjamin Seabrook.
Free and open to the public
Info: https://www.magnoliaplantation.com/magnolia-events/a-juneteenth-commemoration
The goal of “Living Legacies: A Juneteenth Commemoration” is to foster a deeper, more personal connection to history for participants, encouraging dialogue and reflection, and strengthening community connections through shared experiences. Learn more about Magnolia Plantation and Gardens: https://www.magnoliaplantation.com/.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c)3 organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos, and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually. South Carolina Humanities receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as corporate, foundation and individual donors. The National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.
