The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH) is unveiling an exciting lineup of Juneteenth 2025 events under the theme “A Reckoning: Reclaiming the Past, Remembering Black Voices, Reshaping the Future.” This announcement follows the postponement of the anticipated visit of the Freedom Schooner Amistad, which will now set sail for Portsmouth in 2026 due to unexpected restoration work.
While the Amistad’s absence is disappointing, BHTNH remains committed to honoring the spirit of Juneteenth with a thought provoking series of programs that explore the intersections of history, identity, and justice. This Juneteenth program will weave together three powerful narratives—stories that disrupt the illusion of separate racial histories and identities in America. Through the voices of descendants, cutting-edge technology, and Ona Marie Judge Staines's courageous journey, we underscore that Black and white histories have always been intertwined, making it harder to uphold a rigid "us vs. them" mindset.
The expanded celebration will include:
- Film Screening & Discussion – June 8: A free viewing of Jefferson in Paris, followed by a conversation about how historical narratives are shaped and whose stories are centered.
- Guided History Tours – June 10-11: School tours focused on Ona Marie Judge Staines, an enslaved woman who escaped from George Washington’s household to Portsmouth.
- Panel Discussion – June 13: A groundbreaking conversation on historical erasure featuring Black descendants of the “Founding Fathers” and their enslaved servants.
- AI & AR in Black History – June 14: A look at how artificial intelligence and augmented reality are being used to restore lost Black narratives.
- Black Lives Matter New Hampshire Freedom Dinner – June 14: A storytelling and culinary experience celebrating the resilience of Ona Judge and Hercules Posey, two individuals who liberated themselves from enslavement under George Washington.
- Gospel Choir Concert – June 15: A performance by the Howard Gospel Choir presented by The Music Hall, honoring the role of spirituals in Black resilience and resistance.
- African Drumming Ceremony – June 19: A commemorative event marking the 10th anniversary of the Portsmouth African Burying Ground’s unveiling.
Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, is an opportunity to reflect on the unfinished work of justice. This year’s programs are designed to challenge historical myths, amplify Black voices, and foster deeper conversations about America’s racial history and collective future. BHTNH invites the community to participate in these events as we reclaim and honor the stories that have too often been erased from our nation’s history.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit our Juneteenth page.
Preserve Black History in New Hampshire