General Orders, No. 3, was issued on June 19, 1865. The orders, among others read by General Gordon Granger at sites throughout the city, announced to the people of Texas that all enslaved people were free. This day, now known as Juneteenth, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day, is one of Galveston Island’s most important historical moments and has been marked by remembrance and celebrations almost every year since. Visit www.galvestonhistory.org/juneteenth for photos, history, and more.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Sat., June 13
7 p.m. – $35
Join singer-songwriter, music producer, and activist Kam Franklin for a special Live at St. Joseph’s performance. Marking her first appearance in one of Galveston’s favorite listening rooms.
Sat., June 20
Movie Starts at Dusk
FREE ADMISSION!
Hidden Figures is a biographical drama detailing the true story of three brilliant African American women—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who worked at NASA as “human computers” during the 1960s space race. Despite facing intense racial and gender discrimination in segregated Virginia, they overcome systemic barriers to play crucial roles in launching astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
Tue., June 17
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION!
Join us for a Juneteenth 2026 celebration on the historic grounds of the 1838 Menard House—the oldest residence in Galveston—where history comes alive through outdoor programs and living history reenactments. Discover the stories of Juneteenth and the Underground Railroad as interpreters portray the voices of freedom-seekers and trailblazers who shaped our nation’s journey toward emancipation. The Buffalo Soldiers will host an encampment, offering an inspiring glimpse into their legacy and encouraging youth to connect with this proud heritage. Families are invited to bring sack lunches and enjoy picnicking under the open sky. This educational and engaging event is free and open to the public—come celebrate freedom, resilience, and community where history was made.
Galveston Historic Seaport
Tuesdays – Sundays
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Adult – $14 | 6-18 – $8 | 5 & Under – Free
Galveston Bay and its tributaries were central to maritime freedom-seeking escapes from 1816 to 1865. The bay connected enslaved people in southeast Texas to opportunities for liberation in Mexico and beyond. Galveston Historical Foundation‘s (GHF) Galveston Historic Seaport now serves as a focal point in telling this story with the recent addition of the Freedom Seeker story to the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network and a new addition to its acclaimed Galveston Immigration Experience, Ship To Shore, exhibit.
ABOUT GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) was formed as the Galveston Historical Society in 1871 and merged with a new organization formed in 1954 as a non-profit entity devoted to historic preservation and history in Galveston County. Over the last seventy years, GHF has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, museum development, and heritage tourism. GHF embraces a broader vision of history and architecture that encompasses advancements in environmental and natural sciences and their intersection with historic buildings and coastal life, and continues to lead on local, state, and national levels with research-driven programs that build awareness of preservation’s role in cultural identity and stewardship across generations.
