Pocahontas State Park to host events in honor of Juneteenth

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County will host events in honor of Juneteenth that celebrate the contributions of Black artists, conservationists and soldiers.

From noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, rangers at Pocahontas State Park will host, "Art in the Park: Celebrating Black Artists and Conservationists," which celebrates the creativity and culture of African American artists and conservationists. The group will meet at the park's pool.

Later on June 19, from 4 to 6 p.m., the park will host a play, called "Our Man Mitchell: The Life and Times of John Mitchell," which centers late 19th century Richmond journalist John H. Mitchell, Jr., editor in chief of The Richmond Planet.

The play will be performed by youth who attend Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center's theater program. The group will meet at the park's amphitheater.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, visitors at the park can enjoy a discussion with Henricus Historical Park staff at "The Forgotten Soldiers of Juneteenth: The 116th United States Colored Troops of Dutch Gap Canal." The group will meet at the Visitor Center.

Guests will learn of Chesterfield County's ties to Galveston, Texas, through photos, memorabilia and discussion with historians.

Also on June 21, from 4 to 6 p.m., park visitors can participate in "Group Camp 7: A 5-mile Hike Through History," which starts at the Bright Hope Horse Complex and allows guests to traverse paths that were once marked by segregation, reflecting on how the landscapes shaped the history of Black recreation. The group will meet at the Bright Hope Horse Complex.

The park is located at 10301 State Park. Rd. in Chesterfield County.

For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's website.