JUNETEENTH 2021: World of Wellesley Challenge

Hidden in plain sight, New England is overflowing with rich, diverse African-American and African diaspora cultural traditions and history. Select from a multitude of in-person and virtual exhibits on African-American and African diaspora art, movement, song, history to bring yourself, a partner, or the entire family to explore, experience, and engage.

The World of Wellesley Juneteenth Challenges runs from June 19 - August 19. However, we encourage you to explore the available cultural exhibits throughout the year. To participate for our challenge please fill out our registration form.

We ask that as you peruse the offerings that you may ponder three questions:

1) What did you SEE?

2) What did you THINK?

3) What did you WONDER?

Then, tell us about it! Create a Juneteenth art piece, share a selfie from your Juneteenth event, or email us with your favorite reflections on the above three questions. Send it to info@worldofwellesley.org and we will highlight it on our World of Wellesley Website.

In-Person Events

Please visit the museum's website to purchase tickets ahead of time. Additionally, please check the museum guidelines regarding Covid requirements and for open-closing time.

ICA - 25 Harbor Shore Dr, Boston, MA 02210 | 617-478-3100 | www.icaboston.org

  • Virgil Abloh’s “Figure of Speech” starts July 3
  • Firelei Baez starts July 3

Museum of African American History Boston 46 Joy St, Boston, MA 02114 | 617-725-0022 | www.maah.org

  • Jazz Scene in Boston - Telling The Local Story
  • Selections from The Collection

Martha Vineyard Museum | 151 Lagoon Pond Rd Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 | 508-627-4441 | https://mvmuseum.org/

  • The Race Card Project
  • Work of the Soul: Meta Warrick Fuller, Lois Mailou Jones, Delilah Pierce and Olive “Cutie” Bowles starts August 3

MFA - 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 | 617-267-9300 | www.mfa.org

  • MFA Community Celebration on June 19 from 10AM to 10PM
  • Summer of Soul on June 19 (Outdoor Film Screening)
  • Banner Project: Lauren Halsey
  • Writing the Future: Basquiat and the Hip Hop Generation with Fab 5 Freddy, Futura, Lee Quinones, Lady Pink

National Center of Afro-American Artists, Inc -300 Walnut Ave, Boston, MA 02119 | 617-442-8614 | https://ncaaa.org

  • Think About It- The Art of Lawrence Pierce

The New Bedford Whaling Museum | 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740 | 508-997-0046 | https://www.whalingmuseum.org

The Roxbury International Film Festival | www.roxfilmfest.com

The film festival dates are June 17-26, 2021. Some films will be online and others in person at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Springfield Museum | 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA. 01103 | 413-425-9289 | https://springfieldmuseums.org/

  • Horn Man: The Life and Musical Legacy of Charles Neville (June 19 - November 28) Wood Museum of Springfield

Jackson Homestead and Museum | 527 Washington St, Newton, MA 02458 | 617-796-1450 | www.newtonma.gov/government/historic-newton/visit-museum/jackson-homestead-and-museum

Black history has always been an integral part of Newton history. We examine the important place of Black Newtonians in our city, from Newton's earliest days through the 21st century. Learn about Black Newtonians' experiences in slavery and freedom, the fight for abolition, the development of a historic Black community in the 19th century, the impact of redlining and the construction of the MassPike in the 20th century. Participants will learn about the newly-recovered life story of Pamela Sparhawk as well as have the opportunity to tour our exhibits.


Virtual Events

Please click the registration hyperlink to obtain tickets to the virtual event!

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

  • Witness: Spirituals and The Classical Music tradition (REGISTER)

Martha Vineyard Museum

  • Women’s suffrage in America The Fight for Women’s voting rights (REGISTER)

Nantucket Historical Association

  • The road from Abolition to Suffrage (REGISTER)

Massachusetts Historical Society (REGISTER)

  • Beyond the Boundaries of Childhood: African American Children in the Antebellum North July 8, 2021 at 5:30PM - 6:30PM
  • Nine Days: The Race to Save Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life and Win the 1960 Election July 20 at 5:30PM - 6:30PM

Revolutionary Spaces

Black Heritage Trail

  • Virtual Black Heritage Trail Tour (REGISTER)

African American Trail Project (REGISTER for walking tour details)

  • Beacon Hill, Boston
  • Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge
  • Self-guide walking tour, Concord, MA
  • Emancipation Trail, Boston
  • New Bedford Black History Train, New Bedford
  • Nantucket’s Black Heritage Trail, Nantucket
  • African American Heritage trial, Forence
  • African American Heritage trail of Martha’s Vineyard. Oak Bluffs
  • Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage trail, Great Barrington


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World of Wellesley
Wellesley, MA