Juneteenth Celebration Featuring Jazz and Poetry

Free event, no advance reservation required

Between 1670 and 1826 upwards of 300 enslaved African-descended and indentured Indigenous people labored in the historic town of Lyme. Today, Witness Stones mark former sites of enslavement and indentured servitude. Join us for a Juneteenth celebration on the Museum’s north grounds featuring music by the Nat Reeves Jazz Quartet and readings by the Witness Stones Poets Marilyn Nelson, Kate Rushin, Rhonda Ward, and Antoinette Brim-Bell, who will present newly authored tributes in verse to those remembered with Witness Stones plaques. Seating will be provided under a tent and additional lawn chairs are welcome.

In the event of rain, the celebration, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church, 82 Shore Road, Old Lyme.

Photograph of Nat Reeves courtesy of Frank Poulin.

The Juneteenth celebration received generous funding from the Connecticut Office of the Arts.