About

A Celebration of Juneteenth that encompasses the second installation of historical signage on the premises of Simpson Park which is the namesake for James Elias Simpson (1870 - 1959).

Mr. Simpson was a noted member of the Porters-Esmont Community as a storeowner, significant landowner, and church trustee of New Green Mountain Baptist Church. He is buried in the New Green Mountain Cemetery not far from the park. The park is one of most varied parks with multiple amenities unique within the Albemarle County park system.

The goal is to continue the effort to create an African-American visitors trail in southern Albemarle connecting Yancey Community Center School to Simpson Park adjacent to the former Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and the rich African-American history in the Town of Scottsville that includes the Scottsville Museum, the historical sign of Manerva Lewis, the history of the James River Batteau professionally presented in the Canal Basin exhibit and lastly the Scottsville Rosenwald School located behind the historic Union Baptist Church on Hardware Street Extended originally named the Colored Peoples Baptist Church.

Join us on June 27 for this special celebration!