The River Road African American Museum exhibits include Free People of Color; African Influences on Louisiana Cuisine; Rural Roots of Jazz; Black Doctors of the River Road; Louisiana Black Inventors; Folk Artists; Louisiana Underground Railroad; Reconstruction Period; History of Education in Plantation Country and Slave Inventories
Visit the River Road African American Museum and learn about the past in order to understand the future.
Learn about the story of the River Road African American Museum from its beginning to our future plans. Here also you find is our vision/mission statements and a letter from the founder/director of the museum, Kathe Hambrick.
THE SECOND WEEKEND IN JUNE
Friday, June 13 - Sunday, June 15

Download
Our
Brochure

PHOTO GALLERY

2007 FESTIVAL Click Here

2006 FESTIVAL Click Here

2005 FESTIVAL Click Here

 JUNETEENTH is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th has spread across the country and beyond. Freedom came at different times for African Americans depending on where they lived. As freedom came, certain cultural traditions survived. Music was one such tradition. African rhythms and instruments, like the banjo and drums, were transported as freedom came throughout the Americas.

THE RIVER ROAD AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM celebrates this historical day with the Juneteenth Freedom Festival in Donaldsonville, Louisiana held each year during the second weekend of June.

IMPORTANT DATES

Talent Search Auditions
Sunday, May 4 and May 18.
4pm - 6pm. Talent application required. See Download Section below.
Contact: Terrie Julien
(985) 369-7422 or tsjulien@msn.com.

Gospel Choir Competition Registration
April 1 - May 18.
Contact: Darryl Hambrick
(225) 910-3302 or hambonzpianoroom@aol.com.

Essay Contest Registration
Contact Monicker Ford (225) 337-9114 or Dolores Scieneaux (225) 473-9680.

Children's Village Tent
Old Time Games, Folk Art Demonstrations, Face Painting, Traditional African Dress and Storytelling

Genealogy Tent Visitors can log-on and research family genealogy with assistance from Dr. Dolores Walters, with the National Freedom Center, and volunteers from the library.

Black Inventors Tent Discover the many types of everyday things that were actually invented by African Americans.

Freedom Parade

Live Music Gospel, Jazz and R&B

Art Contest & Sale
For 2008 we are having our annual art contest with cash prizes being awarded AND we are having a tent full of art for sale.

DOWNLOADS


Vendor Application and Agreement
Click Here

Talent Night Application
Click Here

Art Contest
Coming Soon

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, June 12th
African American Genealogy Workshop
Ascension Parish Library

Friday, June 13th (7pm to 10pm)
Juneteenth Talent Search and Greek Step Show
Lemann Center | 1100 Clay Street
Admission:$5.00

Saturday, June 14th (1pm to 9pm)
Live Jazz, Blues, R&B, Hip Hop 
Louisiana Square | 300 Railroad Ave.
Admission: FREE

Sunday, June 15th (2pm to 6pm)
Juneteenth Gospel Choir Competition
Louisiana Square | 300 Railroad Ave.
Admission: FREE

  • Liturgical Dance, Local & Regional Choirs
  • African Dance and Drum Performances
  • Stiltwalkers
  • Freedom Art Show & Contest
  • Essay Contest
  • Children’s Village
  • Genealogy Tent
  • Food Booths
  • Black Inventions Tent
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Vendor Marketplace
  • Storytelling
  • Classic Car and Motorcycle Show

Volunteers are needed. Vendor booths available. Talent Search applications available.

 
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© 2007 River Road African American Museum