Gant House Juneteenth event set for June 21 in Zanesville

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — A Juneteenth “Celebrate and Educate” event is set to take place June 21 at the Nelson T. Gant House. 

The event, hosted by the Nelson T. Gant Foundation, aims to honor the significance of Juneteenth while bringing the community together through food, entertainment and education.

“Juneteenths a celebration of the slaves who finally got notified in Galveston Texas in 1865 that they were free. They didn’t know they were free, so it took information almost 9 months to reach the slaves in Texas and that’s where they celebrate Juneteenth,” Nelson T. Gant Foundation President Todd Ware said.

Though rooted in Texas history, Juneteenth has become a holiday celebrated nationwide, officially recognized federally in 2021 under the Biden administration. Today, African Americans across the country commemorate the date as a symbol of freedom and resilience.

The Gant Foundation is contributing to that legacy with a community-wide celebration.

“When I think about the history of Nelson T. Gant, how the community received and supported him, for him to be as successful as he is… all of us gathering together. Celebrating unity, walking away and seeing that as human beings we can all just be together as a community and support each other,” Nelson T. Gant Foundation Board Member Adam Caldwell said.

While Juneteenth holds deep meaning within the African American community, the Gant Foundation invites everyone to take part. The event is open to all and will run from 3 to 9 p.m. June 21.

Admission is free, with performances and family-friendly activities throughout the evening. Food will be available for purchase.