Secretary Detzner to Recognize 150 Year Anniversary of Emancipation Proclamation in Florida at Knott House Museum Celebration

TALLAHASSEE –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner, and the Museum of Florida History, are pleased to announce the annual Emancipation Day Celebration at the Knott House Museum on May 20, 2015, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This year’s celebration commemorates a significant milestone: 150 years ago, Union Brigadier General Edward M. McCook established his headquarters in Tallahassee and announced the Emancipation Proclamation in Florida.

At the commemoration, Tallahassee resident Brian Bibeau, will portray General McCook and present a dramatic recitation of the Emancipation Proclamation from the front steps of the historic Knott House Museum. Joining him will be the Leon Rifles 2nd Florida Volunteer Infantry Regiment Co. D, Captain Chris Ellrich Commanding, and the 2nd Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops Reenactment Unit & Living History Association, led by Sgt. Major (Ret.) Jarvis Rosier.

WHEN:                      Wednesday,May 20, 2015

                                 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

WHERE:                    The Knott House Museum
                                 301 East Park Avenue
                                 Tallahassee, Florida

SPEAKERS:            Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner

                             Jeana Brunson, Director, Museum of Florida History

                             Clifton Lewis, founder and executive director of the L.B. Brown House in Bartow, Florida (Keynote Speaker)

                              Reverend Henry Steele

                              Dr. David Jackson, chairman of the John G. Riley Museum board of directors

After the program, the public is invited to enjoy a free lunch across the street in Lewis Park. Live music will be provided by Charles Atkins. Other events commemorate the day throughout Tallahassee.

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About Emancipation Day:
Emancipation Day is part of a weeklong celebration of Emancipation in Florida’s capital city. Residents of Tallahassee are known to have celebrated the day annually with a picnic at Bull Pond, currently known as Lake Ella. Since 2001, the Knott House Museum and the John G. Riley Museum have partnered to produce this public celebration at the Knott House Museum. As part of the remembrance, a free picnic will be held in Lewis Park following the event. The Emancipation Day Celebration is sponsored by the City of Tallahassee, the Council on Culture and Arts, the Friends of the Museums of Florida History, Inc., Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille, Hopping, Green and Sams, P. A., and Tallahassee Downtown.