Department of Parks
Juneteenth at Waveland State Historic Site on June 16

Lexington, Ky.– Waveland Historic Site in Lexington will commemorate Juneteenth – a day honoring the Emancipation Proclamation and freedom for slaves – on June 16.

Waveland is special among historic sites as its slave quarters are intact and restored to reflect the lives of the slaves who labored on the estate. Exhibits will be open to celebrate with free interpretation on the Saturday of the Juneteenth weekend. 

The tradition of Juneteenth dates back to June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, and brought news of the Civil War's end and the enslaved being free. The celebration of June 19 was coined "Juneteenth."

Juneteenth is now celebrated around the country. Waveland senior tour guide June Madden, with other interpreters, will be stationed at the slave quarters behind the mansion offering historical interpretation. Guests are welcome to view exhibits, ask questions and learn about the lives of slaves at Waveland and in Kentucky. There will be no charge to visit exhibits pertaining to slavery on this day. Tours of the mansion will remain at regular price, on the hour, with the tours operating from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Grounds, including the playground and picnic area, will be open until dark.

Admission is $7 for adults; $6 for seniors; $4 for students of any age and free for children under 6.  

Six miles south of downtown Lexington, Waveland State Historic Site stands as one of Kentucky’s most dignified and gracious antebellum mansions. Completed in 1848 by Joseph Bryan, a grandnephew of Daniel Boone, Waveland is open to the public, and guests are encouraged to enjoy the beautiful grounds the site has to offer.

For more information, call 859-272-3611.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 50 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our website at http://www.parks.ky.gov