Press Release: NYS, June 18, 2004

Governor George E. Pataki today announced that he has signed into law legislation establishing June 19 as "Juneteenth Freedom Day" in New York State. The day commemorates the end of slavery in America and also celebrates African-American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement.

The Governor's signing of this legislation into law today makes tomorrow, Saturday, June 19, 2004, the first official "Juneteenth Freedom Day" in New York State.

The Governor also announced that sites for a new Statewide Underground Railroad Heritage Trail have been designated. The new trail will help to preserve historic sites and educate visitors about New York State's major role in the Underground Railroad, the anti-slavery movement and African-American history.

"I'm pleased to sign the 'Juneteenth Freedom Day' bill into law, and officially commemorate this day -- which marks the end of slavery in America, celebrates African-American freedom in the United States and emphasizes education and achievement," Governor Pataki said. "New York has always been a trailblazer in ensuring civil rights and freedom and we're proud that New York will become one of a handful of states that officially recognize this important day."

Last year, Governor Pataki signed into law legislation that established March 10th as a day of commemoration for American heroine, Harriet Tubman, for her efforts to help slaves achieve freedom through the Underground Railroad.

"The Underground Railroad Heritage Trail initiative will highlight the unique role New York's communities played in a great struggle for human liberty in American history - the fight for the end of slavery," Governor Pataki said. "Through this program, we will preserve and formally recognize many of the significant historic sites throughout New York that are associated with the Underground Railroad and the anti-slavery movement."

Senator John Sampson said "The passage of the Juneteenth Freedom Bill truly marks an historic achievement for the State of New York. As the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, it is high time that New York joins its sister states in acknowledging the day in which slaves were not only declared free, but rather when they were actually set free."

Assemblyman Darryl Towns said, "As a commemoration of 'Juneteenth Freedom Day,' now all New Yorkers may celebrate the emancipation of the slaves on this freedom day."

Juneteenth is the oldest African-American holiday celebration in the United States. Juneteenth Day celebrates and symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates African-American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement.

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. But, it was not until June 19, 1865 that all former slaves knew that they were finally freed. That concluding event was when General George Granger rode into Galveston, Texas with his troops and read General Order Number 3 which informed the people of Texas that all slaves were free.

Juneteenth is now recognized as a state holiday or state commemorative observance in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Delaware, Idaho, Alaska, Iowa, California, Wyoming, Missouri, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, and New Jersey and also in the District of Columbia.

After a rigorous review process, the Heritage Trail Program's Site Designation Committee determined that 24 sites met the documentation criteria for the program. Historic sites that are approved for inclusion on the Heritage Trail are eligible to apply for a $1 million grant program that the Governor will release later this summer for Underground Railroad Heritage Trail sites.

New York State was at the forefront of the Underground Railroad movement and was a major destination for escaped slaves. Many nationally renowned abolitionists lived in New York such as Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Gerrit Smith, Sojourner Truth and John Brown. New York was a destination of choice for many escaped slaves who made the difficult journey toward freedom.

"Thanks to Governor Pataki's leadership, this heritage trail will foster a greater public understanding of New York's instrumental role in this important chapter of American history. When tourists from throughout the nation visit these sites, they will find that they exemplify the spirit and essence of the word freedom," said Richard White-Smith, Executive Director of Heritage New York.

The Underground Railroad Heritage Trail Program was launched by Governor Pataki to preserve, interpret and commemorate the important history of the Underground Railroad in New York State and create high quality tourist destinations.

The program is being implemented by Heritage New York, which is coordinating the development of five Heritage Trails that the Governor has announced to date: Revolutionary War, Underground Railroad, Theodore Roosevelt, Labor and Woman's Heritage Trails. In addition to administering grant programs, Heritage New York is developing a web site, site markers, and brochures to promote heritage trails.

The 24 sites that were designated for the new Underground Railroad Heritage Trail include:

Bristol Hill Congregational U.C. Church
Volney, Oswego County
Staunch anti-slavery congregation. Site of major anti-slavery meetings.

Cedarmere
Roslyn Harbor, Nassau County
Home of William Cullen Bryant, writer influential in the anti-slavery movement.

Elias Hicks House
Jericho, Nassau County
Quaker preacher and major anti-slavery figure.

First Congregational Church of Malone
Malone, Franklin County
Staunch anti-slavery congregation. Site of major anti-slavery meetings.

Gerrit Smith Estate
Peterboro, Madison County
Nationally renowned anti-slavery advocate and supporter of the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Tubman Home
Auburn, Cayuga County
Nationally renowned Underground Railroad figure and Civil War spy.

The Hendrick I. Lott House
Brooklyn, Kings County
Home of slave owner Hendrick I. Lott. The home retains slave quarters that convey important aspects of the spiritual life of enslaved Africans.

Howland Stone Store Museum
Aurora, Cayuga County
A station on the Underground Railroad.

Jericho Friends Meeting House
Jericho, Nassau County
Major abolitionist Elias Hicks preached there regularly and other prominent abolitionists were members.

John Brown Farm
Lake Placid, Essex County
Nationally renowned abolitionist figure best known for his failed raid on Harper's Ferry.

John W Jones Museum
Elmira, Chemung County
Escaped slave and Underground Railroad station-master. He buried almost 3000 confederate soldiers from the P.O.W. camp in Elmira with honor and dignity.

Hendrick I. Lott House
Brooklyn, Kings County
Home of slave owner Hendrick I. Lott. The home retains slave quarters that convey important aspects of the spiritual life of enslaved Africans.

Matilda Joslyn Gage House
Fayetteville, Onondaga County
Influential anti-slavery speaker and Underground Railroad station-master.

M'Clintock House
Waterloo, Seneca County
Home of Thomas and Mary Ann M'Clintock, influential Quaker anti-slavery advocates and supporters of the Underground Railroad. Site is a probable Underground Railroad station.

Michigan Street Baptist Church
Buffalo, Erie County
Staunch anti-slavery congregation and a probable station on Underground Railroad.

Old County Courthouse
Elizabethtown, Essex County
John Brown's body held overnight in the Supervisor's Chambers. Courthouse was also the location of anti-slavery meetings and a convention.

Oswego Library
Oswego, Oswego County
The Library was built with funding from famous abolitionist Gerrit Smith with the highly unusual stipulation that all people including African-Americans would always be welcome there. This library was frequently used by many escaped slaves who settled in the area.

Philipsburg Manor
Sleepy Hollow, Westchester County
Major focus on the day-to-day life and culture of enslaved Africans on site.

Plattsburgh First Presbyterian Church
Plattsburgh, Clinton County
Staunch anti-slavery congregation. Site of anti-slavery meetings

Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims
Brooklyn, Kings County
Church pastor Henry Ward Beecher was a major anti-slavery advocate and station-master of the Underground Railroad

Seward House
Auburn, Cayuga County
William Seward was a major anti-slavery advocate and supporter of the Underground Railroad

Smithfield Community Center
Peterboro, Madison County
Site of major anti-slavery meetings

Starr Clark Tinshop
Mexico, Oswego County
Home and workplace of Starr Clark, an escaped slave and Underground Railroad station-master

Stephen Myers Residence
Albany, Albany County
Escaped slave, anti-slavery publisher and Underground Railroad station-master.

Weeksville
Brooklyn, Kings County
Early African-American settlement that was a refuge for escaped slaves