Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum to Host Juneteenth Celebration for the First Time, as Part of 100th Anniversary
LANCASTER, PA – Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum is proud to announce that it will host Lancaster’s annual Juneteenth Celebration on Thursday, June 19, 2025. This historic event, organized in partnership with the Lancaster Chapter of the National Action Network (NAN), will mark the first time Juneteenth is celebrated at Landis Valley as part of its 100th Anniversary year.
The Juneteenth Celebration has a long and rich history in Lancaster, originating as the Strawberry Street Festival—the earliest known African American celebration in the county. Oral histories suggest that the festival may date back as early as 1905, with its tradition continuing until around 1965. In 1997, Paul Culbreth and Darlene Colon revived the event as a Juneteenth Celebration at Thaddeus Stevens College, ensuring that this vital piece of Lancaster’s cultural history remained alive.
In 2025, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum is honored to serve as the new host site for this historic and deeply meaningful event. This year’s Juneteenth Celebration will immerse visitors in a living history experience, aligning with the museum’s mission of preserving and interpreting Pennsylvania’s diverse heritage. The event will feature:
* Live historical reenactments and performances by the PA Past Players
* Local gospel choirs performing spirituals and songs of the era
* Vendors and food trucks showcasing African American-owned businesses and traditional cuisine
* Educational programming exploring the legacy of emancipation and the impact of Juneteenth in Pennsylvania
“Hosting Juneteenth at Landis Valley allows us to continue a Lancaster tradition while providing the same type of engaging historical experience that our visitors and members have grown accustomed to,” said Shawn Gladden, Site Administrator of Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum. “We are excited to celebrate this momentous occasion in our museum’s 100th year by welcoming the community to experience history in an immersive and meaningful way.”
Paul Culbreth, co-founder of the revived Juneteenth Celebration, added:
“First and foremost, it is a pleasure and honor for The National Action Network (NAN) Lancaster Chapter to partner with Landis Valley on this endeavor. This event will hopefully showcase some of the rich cultural history of our county and the contributions it made to the U.S.” NAN 445 E. Strawberry Street Lancaster, PA 17602
This year’s Juneteenth Celebration will offer reduced admission for the day, thanks to the generous support of sponsors, including Discover Lancaster and Members First, among others.
For more information, media inquiries, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Shawn Gladden
Site Administrator, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
shgladden@pa.gov
717-569-0401
Join us on June 19, 2025, as we honor the past, celebrate freedom, and continue a cherished Lancaster tradition at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum!
About Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, part of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, is a living history museum dedicated to preserving Pennsylvania German culture and rural heritage from 1740 to 1940. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, the museum offers immersive experiences, historic demonstrations, and engaging events throughout the year.
National Action Network 