2025 marks the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth and the 125th anniversary of the 1900 Storm. Both events have shaped Galveston’s history and made the island what it is today. Natural disasters often highlight disparities in society, and the 1900 Storm was no different. The Storm devastated Galveston, causing immense damage to churches, schools, and homes and greatly impacting Black communities on the island.
We Invite You to “Weathering The Storm” Grand Opening Celebration April 17!
Please save the date for this coming Thursday (April 17) to attend our Grand Opening festivities for “Weathering The Storm!” This special evening at the Rosenberg Library will last from 6-8 PM in the Fox Room & Trustees Hall and includes refreshments, wine, and a shared dedication to preserving Galveston’s storied history.
Starting at 6:30 PM, Dr. Araminta Sorrell will deliver a keynote address highlighting the importance of this new exhibit and Juneteenth’s integral connection to Galveston. Dr. Araminta Coleman Sorrell, a native of Washington, D.C., who loves Galveston and its glorious history, is especially interested in its Black history. She is the founder of Juneteenth and Beyond, Galveston’s very first African American guided history tour franchise. Juneteenth and Beyond is a Black-owned and operated, guided sightseeing and tourism business. Her company is passionate and knowledgeable about Galveston’s culturally rich African American sites. We look forward to all of the information that Dr. Sorrell has to share with our community!
In the Storm’s aftermath, Black people were maligned and mischaracterized by news coverage of the recovery efforts, paving the way for Jim Crow laws to be passed in Galveston and stripping away the progress that had been made during Reconstruction. The 1900 Storm irrevocably changed the fabric of Galveston society and especially the Black community, with many Black people leaving Galveston permanently.
However, despite facing segregation and discrimination in all aspects of life, Black Galvestonians demonstrated incredible resilience, rebuilding their institutions and continuing the fight for equal rights. Though the full promise of Juneteenth and absolute equality has yet to be fulfilled, the convergence of these two important anniversaries allows us a chance to reflect on the incredible stories within an often-overlooked part of Galveston’s history.
Thank You to Our Exhibit Advisory Committee
We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the influential local Black leaders who helped shape and guide the direction of this exhibit. Without their expertise, we would not have been able to tell the whole story of Black Galvestonians in 1900 and beyond. Thank you to Dr. Araminta Sorrell, Roy Collins III, Samuel L. Collins III, Sharon Batiste Gillins, and Janae Pulliam for your incredible contributions!
