Step into History, Leave Your Footprint.

Ona Judge Staines defied a president on her journey to freedom. She set out without knowing where her journey would lead, guided only by the human need for freedom of body, mind, and spirit. She never turned back. 

Join us on Saturday, May 23, 2026, as we unveil a bold, larger-than-life mural honoring Ona's courage, ensuring her story stands in the public landscape and memory. This is not just history; it is a declaration of the enduring human spirit. 

Stay with us following the unveiling for a special reception featuring Erica Armstrong Dunbar, the nation's leading scholar on Ona Judge, and Positive Street Art's founder, Many Ramirez, the award-winning artist behind this powerful artwork.

This is more than an unveiling. Experience a commemorative celebration with food, music, poetry, and community. This is an invitation not just to witness history but to make it. 

 Read more about the mural project here.

Schedule of Events

11:00 AM – Ona Judge Staines Tour | 222 Court St, Portsmouth, NH

Join BHTNH Sankofa Scholar and guide Sonya Arroyo for a special Ona Judge Staines Tour, where you will hear the true story of a young woman’s quest for freedom and see the sites connected to her story.

2:00 PM – Mural Unveiling Ceremony | 222 Court St, Portsmouth, NH

Gather for the official unveiling, featuring poetry, remarks from the artist, and reflections from city and state dignitaries. This moment centers the power of public art to tell stories that have too often gone untold.

3:00 PM – Reception & Featured Program  | Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth, NH

Continue the celebration with a reception and a featured presentation by historian Erica Dunbar at Strawbery Banke Museum, offering deeper insight into Ona Judge’s life and legacy.

Throughout the day, guests are invited to engage in interactive activities that connect the past and present—encouraging reflection, dialogue, and a shared sense of history.