The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is open to the public on New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. An Emancipation Proclamation Observance Watch Night Program is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. in the Harriet Tubman Theater. Within the African American Church, Watch Night has served as a time for reflection and to recommit to combating the restraints of enslavement and racism. In partnership with the Rev. Dr. Fred Shuttlesworth’s Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, the program will commemorate the anniversary of this tradition that embodies courage, cooperation and perseverance. The Emancipation Proclamation Observance Watch Night Program is free and open to the public. Participants are asked to use the Harriet Tubman Theater entrance on Rosa Parks Street.
“Watch Night is a long-standing tradition in the African American community,” says Dr. Michael Battle, executive vice president and provost of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “It is a great privilege to partner with Dr. Fred Shuttlesworth’s Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission in commemorating ‘Freedom’s Eve’ and the rare, historic document we now have on exhibit, the Emancipation Proclamation.”
In addition to the Emancipation Proclamation exhibit, visitors are invited to explore the latest special exhibitions at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center – Mascots, which explores cultural appropriation in sports, and Kin Killin’ Kin, a striking visual experience exploring youth violence in inner city communities.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is open to the public on New Year’s Day from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For additional information on exhibits and programming, please visit freedomcenter.org.