Austin dedicated a new interpretive panel at Eastwoods Park yesterday. Attending were numerous elected officials and local residents, including Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Mayor Steve Adler, and Councilmembers Kathie Tovo and Natasha Harper-Madison. The panel memorializes the beginning of Juneteenth celebrations in Austin at Wheeler’s Grove (now Eastwoods Park).

Fermata researched, wrote, and designed the panel. Congratulations to Maja Smith for her wonderful design. Maja has been our designer for decades, and I appreciate all of the work that she has done for me.

Thanks to the Eastwood Neighborhood Association for their involvement in and sponsorship of this project, and well as to Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department for their support.

In this image, Councilmember Natasha Harper-Madison and I are discussing the panel with Congressman Lloyd Doggett. You will notice that this panel, as are all our panels in Austin, is written in both English and Spanish. The story of freedom should not be limited to those who speak English.

Our projects focused on African-American history continue in Austin. We have just begun to write the interpretive plan and programs for the slave quarters at the Neill-Cochran House Museum. This project, Reckoning with the Past: The Untold Story of Race in Austin, will include a number of public events in Austin, so check with the Neill-Cochran website to see what is happening with this transformational project.