Nonprofit organization Summerville Juneteenth is releasing a new book titled “African Americans on Tour: History, People, and Places of Dorchester County South Carolina,” created by Violet Saylor and Linda Saylor-Marchant. Summerville Juneteenth spokesperson Ganicesa Bacon, who has written a book of her own with the nonprofit, said the book will be available in local libraries.
“It’s just important to know where you’re from, if you’re from here and those that are moving in, just to know what Summerville’s about,” Bacon said. “It’s good to know the history about where you come from.”
The book is part guidebook, part history of Dorchester County. It explores the area’s past, as well as present-day leaders, sites and events. Summerville Juneteenth has published books in the past, including Bacon’s “Juneteenth ABC.” Bacon explained the symbolism of Juneteenth.
“A lot of people really don’t know about Juneteenth,” Bacon said. “I just really want people to understand about the history and where it comes from.”
Juneteenth is a national holiday commemorating the freedom of enslaved people. On June 19, 1865, news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas (two years after Abraham Lincoln made the proclamation), according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Former President Joe Biden made the day a national holiday in 2021.
Bacon said Summerville Juneteenth is working to compile a history of Lincolnville as well. Additionally, the group will host a Juneteenth celebration from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at Revelation Universal Church, 279 Orangeburg Road in Summerville.
Check out was real simple, can't wait for the tote bag