Happy Juneteenth 2025! Photos of our celebration are now available.

Celebrating Juneteenth at Durand-Hedden House & Garden, co-hosted with the SOMA Community Coalition on Race, has become a treasured local tradition. This year's event included gospel singers from the First Baptist Church of South Orange, readings from local Black poets Eric Shorter and Heru Stewart, African line dancing, the Kamate Drummers, historical reenactors Daniel Carlton (portraying Thomas Smallwood, Underground Railroad conductor) and Teretha Jones (portraying Elizabeth Keckley, confident to Mary Todd Lincoln), face painting, arts and crafts, an art exhibit featuring works by local Black artists, and the exhibit "Slavery in New Jersey: A Troubled History."

Claire Sinclair was on site to capture it all with her camera. Enjoy reliving the day with her wonderful photos. Click on side arrows to scroll through the slide show.

Lady Trisha Scipio, NAACP Oranges & Maplewood, to deliver keynote at 2025 Juneteenth at Durand-Hedden

Lady Trish Scipio

Durand-Hedden House & Garden and the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race are pleased to welcome Lady Trish Scipio of the NAACP of the Oranges and Maplewood as our 2025 Juneteenth keynote speaker.

"Lady Trish" will deliver her remarks at 2 pm. See a complete schedule of events here.

Pre-register for free for Juneteenth here.

About Lady Trisha Scipio

A staunch Freedom Fighter, Lady Trisha Scipio, is a Diamond Life Member of the NAACP. She serves on the NAACP Region Two  Executive Committee, the NAACP New Jersey State Conference Executive Committee and the NAACP Oranges & Maplewood Branch Executive Committee were she currently serves as the branch’s Assistant Secretary, Membership Chair, and Freedom Fund Vice-Chair.  Lady Trish has helped usher numerous innovative initiatives to help drive membership and foster collaborative efforts between committees in support of the Branches strategic goal. She has helped Branch membership grow exponentially with an emphasis on promoting Life Memberships. She works tirelessly to move the organization forward with an enterprising brand of leadership excellence. She enjoys fighting the good fight in her quest for justice. 

Overall, Lady Trish works tirelessly to move the NAACP in a positive direction.  It is clear that she is committed to fighting the good fight in her quest for justice and equality, deeply rooted in her family’s legacy of service knowing one day “She shall wear a crown of righteousness.”

A Community Servant, Lady Trish is also a Life member of the NCNW ( National Council of Negro Women) an Officer in the Order of Eastern Stars and Board Member of Uncommon Schools. 

Art educator Joan Carter to lead children's activities at #Juneteenth at Durand-Hedden on June 14.

Joan Carter

"What Freedom Means to Me" will be the theme of a children's art project led by educator Joan Carter at the celebration of Juneteenth on Saturday, June 14, at Durand-Hedden House & Garden in Maplewood. Art supplies will be available for children to think of freedom on their own terms.

Joan will have examples to share to give children ideas for their own art. See some of Joan's art below.

Free pre-registration for Juneteenth here.