Telfair Museums will celebrate its 19th observance of Juneteenth with a
celebration of Gullah Geechee culture and the art of basketry. The annual Juneteenth Free Family Day will take place Saturday, June 13, 2026, with free admission from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Telfair Academy and the Owens Thomas House & Slave Quarters.

This year’s event includes programs and activities from 1-4 p.m. at the Telfair Academy, inspired by the recently opened exhibition Roots in the Rushes: African American Basketry of the Lowcountry.

“‘Roots in the Rushes’ invites visitors to connect with the rich legacy of Gullah Geechee artistry, where tradition, resilience, and creativity are woven into every piece,” said Ahmauri Williams-Alford, Assistant Curator of Historical Interpretation. “Presenting this exhibition during our Juneteenth Free Family Day offers a meaningful opportunity to honor African American history and celebrate the enduring cultural practices that continue to shape our community today.”

The program will kick off at 1 p.m. with a libation ceremony performed by the African Spirit (Dr. Jamal Toure) at the entrance of the Jepson Center, followed by performances at the Telfair Academy, including storytelling by Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah Geechee Nation, and a basket dance by the students at Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts. Visitors will also enjoy coiled basketmaking demonstrations by artists Gregory Grant, Anastasia Ketchen, and others. There will be hands-on art activities for families throughout the afternoon.

At the Owens-Thomas House, there will be abbreviated tours running from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The last tour of the day will begin at 4 p.m. These specialized tours will explore Savannah through the lens of Black craftmanship, revealing how enslaved and free craftspeople built and sustained wealthy households and the city’s physical landscape.

Savannah area residents of Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, Liberty, Bulloch, Jasper, and Beaufort Counties enjoy free admission all day at both the Telfair Academy and the Owens Thomas House & Slave Quarters. This program is made possible thanks to investment by the City of Savannah and by the Americana Foundation.

For more information, visit www.Telfair.org.