The Birthplace of Juneteenth: Galveston Island Celebrates Black History Year-Round

GALVESTON ISLAND, Texas (Feb. 5, 2025) – A new marker honoring the history and dedication of Galveston’s African American beach lifeguards was dedicated at 28th and Seawall Blvd. on Feb. 1. Here, island visitors can learn the fascinating history of heroic African American lifeguards who worked the historically segregated beach from 27th to 29th street in Galveston for many decades.

The marker is just one of numerous historic sites and tours that showcase the origins of Juneteenth and celebrates Galveston’s rich Black history year-round.

African American Beach Lifeguard Marker
The Texas Historical Commission has awarded Galveston Island an undertold marker to commemorate Galveston’s African American Beach Lifeguards. These lifeguards worked as longshoremen, small business owners or held other jobs to support their families. They were well respected in the community and protected beach goers without being paid until 1935. The marker is located at 28th and Seawall Blvd.

Absolute Equality Mural and NIA Cultural Center
The “Absolute Equality” mural, which illustrates the journey of Black Americans out of slavery into freedom, was added to Galveston’s rich history-focused attractions in 2021. The 5,000-square-foot mural, created by Houston-based Reginald C. Adams, was painted on the side of the Old Galveston Square building, located at 22nd and Strand in downtown Galveston. The massive art installation is an initiative of the Juneteenth Legacy Project to help raise awareness about Juneteenth. Juneteenth, or June 19, marks the day in 1865 that Union Army Major Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Orders No. 3 in Galveston, which emancipated more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state of Texas – one of the last groups of enslaved people to be freed in the United States. The NIA Cultural Center is located directly behind the Absolute Equality Mural. It serves as a hub of African American art, culture and history.

Freedom Walk Tours
The self-guided Freedom Walk guides participants through five historic sites that played a crucial role in Juneteenth including Pier 21 and the Middle Passage, The Absolute Equality Mural and NIA Cultural Center, US Customs House, Reedy Chapel, 1859 Ashton Villa. By retracing the steps of the Union Soldiers on this momentous day in history, participants can gain a deeper understanding of the significance of Juneteenth in Galveston.

“And Still We Rise…” Exhibit at Ashton Villa
And Still We Rise… Galveston’s Juneteenth Story is located in the carriage house of the 1859 Ashton Villa and is overseen by Galveston Historical Foundation’s African American Heritage Committee. The interactive exhibit introduces the context and consequences of General Orders No. 3 from 1865 to the present, in a long journey toward absolute equality. It draws from recorded interviews and features numerous digital touchpoints allowing visitors to interact with collected photos, stories and research.

Juneteenth and Beyond Guided Tours
Juneteenth and Beyond is Galveston's very first African American guided history tour franchise. The guided tours offer pleasant and relaxing ways to experience Galveston’s heritage. Visit Galveston provides visitors with the opportunity to celebrate Black history beginning with the Juneteenth story. To book a tour and explore historical Galveston sites, visit www.juneteenthandbeyond.com

Galveston African American History Tour & App
Galveston’s African American History Tour, found on the Visit Galveston app, allows visitors to take a self-guided journey to learn about the island’s historically black institutions and monuments celebrating black accomplishments. As the birthplace of Juneteenth, Galveston Island holds a special place in the United States and African American history. The city is also home to the first historically black secondary school and public library in Texas, is the hometown of World Heavyweight Champ Jack Johnson, and features several historically black churches that were established as firsts for Texas. To access the tour, visitors can either download the Visit Galveston app on Android or Apple devices or visit the website at galveston.visitwidget.com. Use the search bar to type in “African American History Tour.” The African American History Tour itinerary can be customized based on a person’s interests and time allocation.

About Galveston Island
Galveston Island is a historic beach town located on the Gulf of Mexico just 50 miles from Houston. The island is best known as a vacation destination, offering 32 miles of beaches, a variety of family attractions, Texas’ premier cruise port and one of the largest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country, including several National Historic Landmarks. Galveston Island is the birthplace of Juneteenth and home to popular amusements such as Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, as well as a variety of museums and recreational activities from surfing to birding. For more information on Galveston Island go to www.visitgalveston.com.

Media Resources: To download images and B-Roll, go to www.visitgalveston.com/media