Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery

06/15/2026

The Delaware City-Polktown Juneteenth Observance Continues!

Join us throughout Juneteenth weekend as we commemorate freedom, honor history, and celebrate community.

📅 Friday, June 19
• Juneteenth Commemorative Service at the African Union Church Cemetery (rain or shine)
• Black-Owned Businesses and Organizations Cultural Expo in Battery Park
• Evening performance by Best Kept Soul

📅 Saturday, June 20
• Reading of General Order No. 3 at the Delaware City Ferry Dock
• Ferry ride to Fort Delaware
• The History of Juneteenth presentation by Dr. Abdullah Muhammad

📅 Sunday, June 21
• Juneteenth Worship Service at Mt. Salem U.A.M.E. Church
• Community Cookout and performances celebrating Black history and culture

Learn more about all events and activities:
https://africanunioncemetery.org/juneteenth/

Black-Owned Businesses and Organizations Cultural Expo:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2448324445643293

Fort Delaware Program / The History of Juneteenth:
https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/17059789

We hope you'll join us for one or more of these free community events.

06/15/2026

Why We Gather

The African Union Church Cemetery is more than a historic burial ground. It is a place of remembrance, resilience, and community.

Among those buried here are five United States Colored Troops (USCT) soldiers who served during the Civil War. Their service helped advance the cause of freedom, yet for generations their stories remained largely forgotten.

Today, through ongoing research, preservation, and community engagement, those stories are being shared with new generations.

On Friday, June 19, the Delaware City-Polktown Juneteenth Observance will gather at the African Union Church Cemetery for our annual Juneteenth Commemorative Service.

This is a rain-or-shine event and will be held under a tent at the cemetery.

📅 Friday, June 19
🕙 10:00 a.m.
📍 African Union Church Cemetery, Delaware City

Learn more about the observance and upcoming events:
https://africanunioncemetery.org/juneteenth/

We hope you will join us.

06/14/2026

The stories of the African Union Church Cemetery continue to speak to us today.

If you missed yesterday's screening of Voices Long Forgotten, you can still watch the documentary online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcJsEjZeJQQ

The film explores the history of Polktown, the cemetery, and the five United States Colored Troops (USCT) who served during the Civil War and are honored here today.

As we prepare for the Juneteenth Commemorative Service on Friday, June 19, this documentary provides an introduction to the people, places, and stories that make the African Union Church Cemetery such an important place of remembrance and reflection.

The Delaware City-Polktown Juneteenth Observance continues next weekend with:
• Juneteenth Commemorative Service at the African Union Church Cemetery
• Black-Owned Businesses and Organizations Cultural Expo
• Best Kept Soul concert
• Juneteenth programming at Fort Delaware
• Mt. Salem U.A.M.E. Church worship service and community cookout

We hope you'll join us.

The story of the free Black hamlet of Polktown, Delaware and the Un...

06/13/2026

The rhythm of Juneteenth is alive in Delaware City!!

Sankofa African Drum & Dance Company is filling the Delaware City Community Center with energy, music, movement, and joy as part of today's Delaware City-Polktown Juneteenth Observance.

Featuring talented young performers and musicians from Central Delaware, Sankofa celebrates African cultural traditions through powerful drumming, vibrant dance, and community engagement. The audience is loving it!

Thank you to Sankofa, the Delaware City Public Library, our volunteers, and everyone who joined us for a wonderful day of learning, history, culture, and celebration.

06/13/2026

What a wonderful day of learning, conversation, and cultural exploration at the Delaware City Library!

As part of the Delaware City-Polktown Juneteenth Observance, attendees gathered throughout the day for presentations and discussions exploring African American history, local stories, art, film, and culture.

Programs included Dr. Miles Albrook Stanley's A Mongrel Liberty, A Mere Mock Freedom; a screening of Voices Long Forgotten introduced by Dr. David Orr; Debbie Martin's presentation on the kidnapping of James Justice; and E. Lynn Dilliplane's exhibit and artist's talk, Landscapes of the Delaware Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway.

Thank you to our presenters, attendees, volunteers, and partners for helping make today's programs such a success.

The celebration continues! Join us this afternoon for Sankofa African Drum and Dance Company at 4:30 p.m.

06/13/2026

Today's the Day!

The Delaware City-Polktown Juneteenth Observance continues today with a full day of free programs at the Delaware City Library.

Join us for thought-provoking presentations, local history, film, art, storytelling, African drumming and dance, and opportunities to learn more about the people, places, and stories that have shaped our community.

Whether you attend one program or spend the day with us, we hope you'll be part of this special celebration of freedom, history, and culture.

For program details, visit:
https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/calendar/delawarecity

06/12/2026

Tomorrow!

The Delaware City-Polktown Juneteenth Observance continues with a full day of programs at the Delaware City Library. From history and storytelling to art, film, drumming, and dance, there's something for everyone. We hope you'll join us for one or more of these free programs.

For additional information and program descriptions, visit the Delaware City Library calendar:
https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/calendar/delawarecity

06/10/2026

Feel the rhythm of Juneteenth!

As part of the Delaware City-Polktown Juneteenth Observance, join us for an energetic performance by Sankofa African Drum & Dance Company on Saturday, June 13, at 4:30 p.m.

Featuring talented young performers from across Central Delaware, Sankofa celebrates the rich traditions of African drumming, dance, and cultural expression through a vibrant and engaging performance that audiences of all ages will enjoy.

Bring the family and experience the power of music, movement, and community as we celebrate freedom, heritage, and culture together.

📅 Saturday, June 13
🕟 4:30 p.m.
📍 Delaware City Community Center Gym

This program is part of a full day of activities during the Delaware City-Polktown Juneteenth Observance. We hope you'll join us!