Music filled the air, children decorated hats and explored museum exhibits, and visitors gathered to reflect on history and community as the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum hosted its annual Juneteenth celebration on June 20.
Held at the museum’s campus at Mt. Zion AME Church and the Reasoner/True House in Skillman, the event brought together residents from across the region for a day of performances, storytelling, educational programs and family activities centered around this year’s theme: “Resist. Reclaim. Restore.”
Throughout the day, visitors explored museum exhibits, toured the heritage garden, participated in crafts and activities, and learned about the history of African American communities in the Sourland Mountain region.
Highlights included performances by the SSAAM Heritage Singers, a cabaret performance by Dan’yelle Williamson-Brown, a reenactment of the life of Sylvia Dubois, presentations by students involved in the Witness Stones project, and guided tours of the museum and grounds. Volunteers served lunch while community organizations, artisans and local vendors welcomed visitors throughout the afternoon.
Families participated in hands-on activities ranging from face painting and crafts to decorating church hats, an activity inspired by SSAAM’s current exhibit exploring the history and cultural significance of African American women’s headwear. Children and adults alike also took part in scavenger hunts and garden tours while learning about the region’s history.
The annual celebration also came during a significant year for SSAAM. The museum was recently recognized as one of the inaugural sites on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, a designation established by the New Jersey Historical Commission to highlight places that preserve and share African American history across the state.
Founded in 2016 by Beverly Mills and Elaine Buck, the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories, culture and contributions of African Americans in the Sourland Mountain region. Through exhibits, educational programs, lectures and cultural events, the museum works to bring greater attention to stories that have often been overlooked in traditional historical narratives.
As visitors gathered inside the historic Mt. Zion AME Church and throughout the museum grounds, the celebration served as both a commemoration of freedom and an opportunity to connect with the history, resilience and continuing contributions of Black communities in Central New Jersey.
