Dedication ceremony to commemorate Junteenth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Will Wright
Director of Marketing and Special Events
Office: 409-765-3404
will.wright@galvestonhistory.org

JUNETEENTH TO RECEIVE OFFICIAL TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKER

Galveston Island, Texas, May 9, 2014 – the Texas Historical Commission (THC) has recognized the events that occurred in Galveston on June 19, 1865 as a significant part of Texas history by awarding Juneteenth an Official Texas Historical Marker. The designation honors Juneteenth as an important and educational part of state history.

A dedication ceremony to commemorate the event will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2014 in downtown Galveston, located at the intersection of 22nd Street and The Strand, Galveston, Texas at 10:00 am. Speakers for the morning will include elected officials from across the state of Texas.

“The Official Texas Historical Marker program helps bring attention to community treasures and the importance of their preservation,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the THC. “Awareness and education are among the best ways to guarantee the preservation of our state’s history.  This designation is a tool that will increase public awareness of important cultural resources,” Wolfe said.

A subject qualifies for a marker if two basic criteria are met: historical significance and age.  Historical significance is established by reviewing its role and importance in local history, and the age requirement depends on the topic. Texas has the largest marker program in the United States with approximately 15,000 markers. Seventeen states have used the Texas program as a model; the THC reviews more than 300 marker applications each year.  The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. The agency administers a variety of programs to preserve the archeological, historical and cultural resources of Texas.

“The establishment of a Juneteenth Marker in downtown Galveston will allow all visitors to our historic Downtown to appreciate the significance of what happened on June 19, 1865. Our committee believes the marker placement in downtown Galveston gives the most accurate, documented, historically significant venue to honor Juneteenth. The world will now know the exact location where General Grander issued General Orders No. 3” said Hank Thierry, Chair of Galveston Historic Foundation’s African American Heritage Committee. 

There are three types of Texas Historical Markers. Subject markers are posted solely for public education awareness and awarded more frequently than the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL), which is a legal designation for historic structures and comes with a measure of protection. Unlike subject markers, the RTHL must also meet a third criterion--architectural integrity. Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) markers identify cemeteries which have obtained the HTC designation and whose histories have been researched in detail.

For more information on the Juneteenth marker dedication, please contact Will Wright, Director of Galveston Historical Foundation’s Marketing & Special Events at 409-765-3404, will.wright@galvestonhistory.org or visit www.galvestonhistory.org.