WEST LIBERTY — “Laws don’t truly make holidays. We have to learn how to celebrate them together.” This advice by Janay Kingsberry published in “The Washington Post” a year ago offered four meaningful ways to celebrate Juneteenth including visiting a local or national museum. The article inspired Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek to hold a discussion group on June 17, 2023. There is no charge to participate in the informal program, facilitated by Margaret Piatt. It will be held on the terrace, located on the north side of the historic house museum at 2 p.m. In case of rain, the gathering will take place in a tent. The site is located at 10051 Township Road 47, West Liberty, Ohio.

The discussion group will focus on Juneteenth celebrations in the past and today, insights gained from a book by David Meyers and Elise Meyers Walker titled, “Historic Black Settlements of Ohio,” and primary documents from the Piatt family archive related to the legacy of slavery. Participants will be invited to offer input toward a new publication by the Mac-A-Cheek Foundation for the Humanities to be titled, Generational Change.

In addition to celebrating freedom and equal rights in the United States through the Juneteenth discussion, the Mac-A-Cheek Foundation will host a 19th century Independence Day Celebration from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., outdoors on the grounds at Mac-A-Cheek Castle on Sunday, June 25. It will offer cricket and other historical games, demonstrations, and surprising 19th century holiday customs. For more information about that event and the Independence Day cake contest, visit www.piattcastle.org or contact 937-465-2821.