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Juneteenth Tour: Explore Galveston's Black History
5.0
45 Ratings
Galveston
Discover Galveston’s rich African American history with Juneteenth and Beyond, the city’s first Black-owned guided history tour franchise. Join us to explore culturally significant sites and learn about the legacy of Black communities in Galveston.
Discover Galveston’s rich African American history with Juneteenth and Beyond, the city’s first Black-owned guided history tour franchise. Join us to explore culturally significant sites and learn about the legacy of Black communities in Galveston.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Galveston Island - Start from the Old Central Cultural Center. Head to Middle Passage Marker at 21st and Haroborside. The symbol of the beginning of slavery in the new world
- The Strand - We will see the Absolute Equality Mural on the way to Nia Cultural Center, the only African American art gallery on The Strand. Also on the strand is the…
- Galveston Island - Start from the Old Central Cultural Center. Head to Middle Passage Marker at 21st and Haroborside. The symbol of the beginning of slavery in the new world
- The Strand - We will see the Absolute Equality Mural on the way to Nia Cultural Center, the only African American art gallery on The Strand. Also on the strand is the Juneteenth marker that marks where executive order #3 was read and all slaves in Texas were freed
- Reedy Chapel-AME Church - Built in 1848, the first AME church in Texas. One of the locations where General Order #3 was read on June 19, 1865 which declared emancipation in Texas from slavery.
- 1859 Ashton Villa - See the statue of Al Edwards, the legislature who helped get Juneteenth a state holiday in 1979. Also see the And Still We Rise Exhibit
What's Included
- Air-conditioned transportation
- Certified social studies and tourism guide
- Air-conditioned transportation
- Certified social studies and tourism guide
Additional Information
Juneteenth and Beyond, a guided tourism and sightseeing company, is owned and run by Black entrepreneurs. Our team is enthusiastic, professional, and exceptionally knowledgeable about the African American cultural sites of Galveston. The establishment was brought to life by Dr. Araminta Coleman Sorrell, a Washington, D.C. native who holds a deep…
Juneteenth and Beyond, a guided tourism and sightseeing company, is owned and run by Black entrepreneurs. Our team is enthusiastic, professional, and exceptionally knowledgeable about the African American cultural sites of Galveston. The establishment was brought to life by Dr. Araminta Coleman Sorrell, a Washington, D.C. native who holds a deep affection for Galveston and its fascinating history, particularly its Black heritage. Juneteenth and Beyond stands as Galveston’s inaugural guided tour dedicated to African American history.
Location
2627 Avenue M
Avenue M
We meet at the Old Central Cultural Center
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(45 Ratings)
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Rhea_m
Feb 16, 2025
I HIGHLY recommend this... - I HIGHLY recommend this absolute gem of an experience, especially if you are visiting Galveston for a cruise and looking for something to do before/after. It is so rare to enjoy a tour where your guide is equal parts brilliant and kind but Dr. Araminta is both and then some. Her passion and dedication to the community shine bright, the tour and the information that she provided went above and beyond the description, and we were introduced to a number of local experts and historians along the way who shared stories that wove an incredibly rich tapestry. And while my 9 going on 16 year old niece tried to pretend like she was too cool for school (and I quote "I'm on break, so I'm not in learning mode"), I've heard her share 3 different things that she learned on the tour in the week since we've been home. If you are lucky enough to have the chance to book this, DO NOT miss out!!
Review provided by Viator
49diva
Dec 13, 2024
Fascinating, knowledgeable and eye-opening... - Wow! This was an amazing educational tour! Dr. Sorrell was truly a blessing to have leading this tour. Her knowledge of African American history as it relates to Galveston is superior! This tour was more than I expected as far as the indepth history lesson. I would highly recommend anyone visiting Galveston to take this tour. I promise, you'll walk away a more enlightened individual!👍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
349nikiah
Dec 5, 2024
Awesome Black History Tour!!! - This tour was amazing!! Our family went on this tour for Thanksgiving and enjoyed every minute of it. Ariminta was great. She educated us and exposed us to things we did not n ow about our history. Our entire family enjoyed this tour including the kids. It is definitely a must see if you are I. The Galveston area or want to enrich your family and kids on our history. Well done Ariminta and team!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G4526cwheatherr
Dec 2, 2024
You Can't Go to Galveston Without Doing This Tour - The birthplace of Juneteenth, Galveston Island holds a special place in the history of the United States. In a time when African American history is literally under attack, I felt so privileged to participate in this tour and learn from Dr. Sorrell. The depth and breadth of the island's history goes well beyond celebrating Emancipation. I learned that Galveston Island is also home to the first African American high school and public library in the state. Additionally, Galveston Island is hometown to heavy weight champion Jack Johnson who I remembered my grandfather talking about (he was a boxing aficionado!). Galveston is also home to the first black AME and Baptist Churches. I included a photo of one of the churches. The Nia Cultural Center was an added bonus. If you're planning to visit Galveston and enjoy taking in history, please make time to join Dr. Sorrell on a tour. You won't regret it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sistahsoulja
Nov 22, 2024
Excellent!!!!!! - Such a wonderful experience. Dr. Sorrell is an amazing, knowledgeable, professional and entertaining tour guide. I never learned so much. Brilliantly executed and allowed for a personal and interactive experience. I am inspired to return to Galveston again as a result.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Teannec2020
Nov 2, 2024
Take this Tour - You're Going to Love It! - This trip was amazing!
I was a little worried about doing an Island tour in the heat, but Dr. Minta knew just when to get out and when we could stay in the van to get the rich Black history of Galveston Island. Her knowledge of local and early-U.S. history was phenomenal and I really liked how she illustrated the connections between U.S. slavery and the way it was monetized globally. People say slavery was an 'American Institution' but after her tour and understanding all the different countries that really came together to create and maintain slavery, it was clear that it was a global development.
I also liked how she personalized the stories of real people to tell the broader story, from the boxer to the guy looking for his family after the Civil War....it was poignant, heartwarming and so so knowledgeable.
Hope she has another tour - it'll be interesting to see what she does next.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C6260dpsharonr
Oct 17, 2024
We should all learn from Dr. Sorrell - Dr. Sorrell’s deep knowledge of the Juneteenth time period…and beyond…kept unfurling like a beautiful fern leaf. Every fact offered enlightenment with surprises mixed in along the tour route. I’ve loved Galveston for decades. Now I know more about the most important parts- her rich heritage connected to once unfree people who never, ever stopped moving forward despite the horrors heaped upon them. The stop at NIA created frozen moments I’ll not forget. Thank you for sharing, Dr. Sorrell.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Linda_d
Aug 4, 2024
Amazing Tour - This tour was an amazing experience. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and interesting. In addition to learning about the history of Juneteenth on Galveston, we learned about the black community on the island in the past and present. I highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Donna_b
Jul 31, 2024
JUNETEETH AND BEYOND WORDS ... BEYOND ANYTHING I EVER IMAGINED - Our guide was brilliant! She was warm passionate and knowledgeable. I will be back with Firiends in October!
Review provided by Viator
Celina_l
Jul 3, 2024
Phenomenonal - This tour and knowledge shared with my family was amazing. I look forward to my family from out of state coming to visit so I can take them on this tour. Wealth of history shared. Dr. Sorrell is awesome. Well worth the cost of the tour.
Review provided by Viator