See the Birthplace of Juneteenth in These Atmospheric Photos of Galveston, Texas

A photographer’s journey to the Gulf Coast city yields 16 images that reveal how its natural beauty melds with its momentous role in Black history

A view of the Absolute Equality Mural celebrating Juneteenth, located on Galveston’s Strand Street
A view of the Absolute Equality Mural celebrating Juneteenth, located on Galveston’s Strand Street Leah L. Jones

On June 19, 1865, over two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people in Confederate states, Union troops in Galveston, Texas, announced that the enslaved people of the state were now free. There, Union General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, which stated: “The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” That fateful June day has come to be known as Juneteenth, the main holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States.

When I was a little girl in Wisconsin, my aunt taught me about Juneteenth. At my local Juneteenth celebrations, which my aunt helped lead, we had games, food, music, speeches and a pageant. While I knew back then that this holiday was a celebration of Black history in the U.S., I couldn’t fully grasp the concept of what was being celebrated as a child.

Later, as a teenager, I more deeply understood that it’s a celebration of freedom: the freedom of my people, the freedom for my people. Since then, I’ve been fascinated by the holiday. And later, as an adult, I still hadn’t been to Galveston, Texas, the birthplace of Juneteenth, and where the spirit of Juneteenth still lives today. I was compelled to go there and learn more about its history and see it for myself.

I went this April and took my camera along with me. I visited the Nia Cultural Center, the headquarters of the Juneteenth Legacy Project. I explored a gallery that displays African art. I saw the mural commemorating the Juneteenth holiday. I saw historical markers for the holiday and the Middle Passage in which enslaved Africans were taken across the Atlantic Ocean. Along with all this history, I also saw a community of everyday people living in and visiting the island city on Texas’ Gulf Coast. I saw the city’s contrast between nature and industry. I captured photos of the city using expired film, giving the visuals an ephemeral feel.

On this Juneteenth, see for yourself how history and the everyday come together in Galveston through these 16 pictures.

A person walks on a path at Seawolf Park in Galveston, Texas
A person walks on a path at Seawolf Park in Galveston, Texas. Leah L. Jones
A person pushes a child on a swing at Seawolf Park in Galveston
A person pushes a child on a swing at Seawolf Park in Galveston. Leah L. Jones
The Middle Passage historical marker on the Galveston Historic Seaport building
The Middle Passage historical marker on the Galveston Historic Seaport building Leah L. Jones
The flags of the U.S. and Texas fly near the Battle of Galveston historical marker
The flags of the U.S. and Texas fly near the Battle of Galveston historical marker. Leah L. Jones
The shoreline of West Galveston Bay near Channelview Drive
The shoreline of West Galveston Bay near Channelview Drive Leah L. Jones
A pelican flies over Galveston Bay near Seawolf Park
A pelican flies over Galveston Bay near Seawolf Park Leah L. Jones
Boats dock near the U.S. Coast Guard building in Galveston
Boats dock near the U.S. Coast Guard building in Galveston Leah L. Jones
A person walks between buildings on Pier 21
A person walks between buildings on Pier 21. Leah L. Jones
The Galveston Historic Seaport building at Pier 21
The Galveston Historic Seaport building at Pier 21 Leah L. Jones
The Juneteenth historical marker was erected in 2014
The Juneteenth historical marker was erected in 2014 Leah L. Jones
A brick interior wall on the second floor of the Strand building
A brick interior wall on the second floor of the Strand building, which houses the Nia Cultural Center, Mamady’s Primitive Art from Africa and many other stores Leah L. Jones
Mamady Sidibe, of Mamady’s Primitive Art from Africa
Mamady Sidibe, of Mamady’s Primitive Art from Africa, in his store among the artworks from various tribes and countries in Africa Leah L. Jones
The Lyceum of Galveston Island, chartered in 1845
The Lyceum of Galveston Island, chartered in 1845 Leah L. Jones
The First Lutheran Church, founded in 1850
The First Lutheran Church of Galveston, founded in 1850 Leah L. Jones
A palm tree on Channelview Drive facing West Galveston Bay
A palm tree on Channelview Drive facing West Galveston Bay Leah L. Jones

Leah L. Jones is lead photographer at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

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