Events
20th of May Calendar of Events
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Signature events
10:00 a.m. John G. Riley Center & Museum Civil War Commemorative Service at the Old City Cemetery
The 2nd Infantry Regiment USCT will perform a Union soldier reenactment with a traditional 21-gun salute to fallen soldiers. Members of the community will join the ceremony of decorating the graves of Civil War soldiers.
11:00 a.m. Church bells in Tallahassee area will ring for 2 minutes to announce the dawning of the special day of freedom.
11:30 a.m. Dramatic reading of the Emancipation Proclamation
Speeches and music are presented on the front steps of the Knott House Museum. This year’s program features Rev. Hugh Chapman of St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church. After the program, free lunch and activities are available in Lewis Park across from the Knott House Museum.
2:00—4:00 p.m., Tallahasse Museums Open
The Grove Museum ( and the Union Bank Museum (219 Apalachee Parkway) will be open to the public for tours.
EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
2 pm to 4 pm: Tallahassee museums open
Union Bank Museum (219 Apalachee Parkway)
The Grove Museum (902 N Monroe Street)—Emancipation Tour at 2:30 pm
John G. Riley Center & Museum ( 419 E Jefferson St.)– free admission
Florida Historic Capitol Museum (400 S Monroe St.) – Emancipation/Civil Rights scavenger hunt available
Goodwood Museum and Gardens (1600 Miccosukee Rd)—Free Invisible Lives tours of the Main House museum at 10 AM, 11:30 AM, 1 PM, and 2:30 PM.
Other Tallahassee Events in May
MAY 1–31
Division of Library and Information Services various resources at: https://bit.ly/3LgIiVA
SATURDAY, MAY 10
10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m., Walk Through Living History Day at Speed Spencer Stephens Park hosted by 2nd Infantry Regiment USCT
Living history celebration and commemoration of the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in the State of Florida. Family-friendly event for all ages.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
6 p.m. “Honoring Our History: Florida's Emancipation Day” -LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library
Join Museum Educator Jose Zamora for a talk on the legacy of Emancipation Day in Tallahassee and around the state.
THURSDAY, MAY 15
2 pm: The Cotton Boll Collective celebrates Emancipation Culture Keepers at the Watching for Freedom Spirit of Emancipation Culture Keepers event in the Parkview Room at Parkview at Cascades.
SATURDAY, MAY 17
6:00—10:00 p.m., Emancipation and Abolitionist Ball at Tallahassee State College (ticketed event)
2nd Infantry Regiment USCT celebrates the Emancipation and Abolitionist Ball at Tallahassee State College
SUNDAY, MAY 18
11:00 am: Emancipation Worship Service at First Presbyterian Church, North Adams Street
1-4 pm: Tours of the First Florida Capitol with music on the porch
6:00—8:00 p.m., Emancipation Porch Concert at Florida First Capitol in Cascades Park
The Tallahassee Council on Culture and Arts presents a series of free concerts to celebrate Emancipation Day at the First Florida Capitol replica. For more information, visit https://tallahasseearts.org/
MONDAY, MAY 19
8:30 am to 4 pm: Florida Emancipation Conference hosted by Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network (FAAHPN) at Parkview at Cascades. (Registration required)
Other Florida Events in May
SATURDAY, MAY 24
The 2nd Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops Living History Program, Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex, 2180 Freedom Ave., Mims FL 32754
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
"BEFORE JUNETEENTH" Florida's Emancipation, Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex, 2180 Freedom Ave., Mims FL 32754
