Living history frames Riley Museum s Emancipation Day celebrations
Amanda Sieradzki
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In the early 2000s, the Riley Museum and the Knott House Museum came together to create a community-wide celebration for Florida’s Emancipation Day the day in Tallahassee when enslaved people in Southern states were declared freed.
The annual commemoration takes place on May 20 each year and includes a grave decorating ceremony in honor of John G. Riley’s reverent walks to the cemetery to honor United States Colored Troops soldiers.
Instead of a walk through living history, there will be a drive-thru Living History Festival and Day in the Park on Saturday, May 8, 10 a.m.- noon, at Speed Spencer Stephens Park,1907 Saxon St. Historical reenactors will be engaged in activities of the era and attendees will be able to enjoy the festival from their vehicles.