Oldham County History Center

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Oldham County History Center

Juneteenth Celebration 2023

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THIS JUNE 17TH

Juneteenth is an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War, and has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s. The Oldham County History Center held its first Juneteenth Celebration in 2004.  The Juneteenth Committee of the Oldham County History Center presents an annual Elijah Marrs Award that recognizes and outstanding member of the Black community that is a mentor and made significant positive contributions. This year the celebration will include a Black vendors, artists, craftsman, food trucks and authors along with theatrical and musical performances.  Activities take place at the Oldham County History Center campus in downtown LaGrange.

 

Juneteenth Program

9:30-1:30

Vendors and Food Trucks on the Oldham County History Center Campus

Hands on history activities for kids including colonial cooking demo, printing press, quill & pen writing, Juneteenth flag craft, “Snakes, Spiders and Root Cellar Exhibit)

African American Displays in the Rob Morris Chapel

Artwork by Victor Sweatt in the Rob Morris Chapel

The First Juneteenth Celebration at the History Center 2004 Video ongoing in the Museum

Book Signings by local authors

11:30-1:30

Will take place on the Stone Stage or inside the Rob Morris Chapel in case of rain.

Voice of the Fugitive Play Vignette performed by Josiah Bishop and Jasmine Marvin

Dance Performance by Christina Robinson

Priscilla Harris Singer/Performer

Members of the Pleasant View Baptist Church Choir

Presentation of the 2023 Elijah Marrs Achievement Award to Judge Jerry Crosby

1:30-2:30

Dedication of the Petter Parker Monument by Rev. Doris Harris

Stories of the Stones: Stories about the families buried at the Historic African American Cemetery by various volunteers

Program ends by 3 p.m.

 

Steve Leavell Book Signing

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Original Recipes from Steve Leavell: Soul Food Roots with Bessie’s Touch

Book signing

Feb. 26, 2023, 2 to 4 p.m.

Location: Roots 101 African American Museum, 124 N. First Street, Louisville, KY.

Steve was born and grew up in Robertson County, just west of Nashville, as last generation of sharecropper families from the segregation years, the oldest of 8 children during the 1950s and ‘60s.  He carried the influence of “soul food” cooking from his mother Bessie, to Louisville, Ky. where he became a well-known caterer and owner of The Germantown Café on Goss Avenue.

According to Steve, “My mother is a natural cook- she seasons food wonderfully. Green beans, turnips, any kind of vegetable, she comes up with the magic touch to make them taste good.  She usually fixed them on top of the stove.  Seasoned with a pinch of sugar in everything and salt and pepper.  Most of the time she used bacon grease but uses butter now.  She grew up in a time when people used bacon grease and meat fats.  She used fat pork and onions and cooked the vegetables, adding a pinch of cayenne pepper.”

With its proximity to Nashville, Robertson County contributed to Nashville’s “soul food” influence often defined with dishes like fried fish and chicken, chitlins with hot sauce and vinegar along with collards and cornbread. As a native of Robertson County, Steve carried these food basics influenced by Bessie into his own style of cooking and created recipes that became part of his signature food style as he developed his catering and food business at his Germantown Café.  Now retired from the food business, Steve still does some catering.

The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by Roots 101 African American Museum and the Oldham County History Center.  For more information contact:

The Oldham County History Center, 106 N. Second Ave., LaGrange, KY 40031, 502-558-0421, info@oldhamkyhistory.com

Or

Roots 101 African American Museum, 124 N. First Street, Louisville, KY.  40202, 502-384-1940, info@roots-101.org

About Oldham County History Center