Poet Heru Stewart to read at 2025 Juneteenth at Durand-Hedden

Poet Heru Stewart

Durand-Hedden House & Garden Association and the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race are pleased to welcome Poet Heru Stewart to the 2025 Juneteenth celebration at Durand-Hedden House in Maplewood on Saturday, June 14.

Heru Stewart is a Newark, NJ-born poet, two-time author, publisher, literary and creative arts entrepreneur, and elementary school teacher, teaching right here in Maplewood, NJ. Heru's poems are observations, snapshots, and statements on both his world and the world around him.

Heru's latest collections of poems, Poems from Caesar's Ghost, Pts. 1 & 2: To Live with Ghosts and T. R. O. will soon be available for purchase."

Juneteenth at Durand-Hedden is an annual free community event, co-hosted by Durand-Hedden House & Garden and the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race. See our event page for complete details and for free pre-registration.

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Teretha Jones to portray Elizabeth Keckley at 2025 Juneteenth celebration at Durand-Hedden House in Maplewood

Teretha Jones as Elizabeth Keckley, Juneteenth 2021 at Durand-Hedden House & Garden.We are pleased to announce that Teretha Jones, "TJ," will be returning for our sixth annual Juneteenth celebration at Durand-Hedden House & Garden in Maplewood on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Ms. Jones has delighted our Juneteenth guests in the past as she portrays Elizabeth Keckley, seamstress and friend to Mary Todd Lincoln.  

Ms. Jones has received recognition in the Tri-State region through her love of history. She is a re-enactor of both the American Revolutionary War and Civil War with the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and 3rd, 6th, 22nd United States Colored Troops, as a civilian.

Don't miss the opportunity to go back in time and visit with Elizabeth Keckley.

Juneteenth at Durand-Hedden is an annual free community event, co-hosted by Durand-Hedden House & Garden and the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race. See our event page for complete details and for free pre-registration.

RSVP TODAY

Poet Eric Shorter to perform readings at 2025 Juneteenth at Durand-Hedden

Guests at the 2025 Juneteenth celebration at Durand-Hedden House & Garden in Maplewood on Saturday, June 14, will have an opportunity to hear the poetry of Eric Shorter, read by the poet. Eric Shorter is an award-winning poet, professional musician, and working actor. He is a 21-year resident of Maplewood, and the father of three Columbia High School graduates. He is the recipient of the Lord Buckley Award from Jack Mueller’s National Poetry Association and an Honorable Mention from Cave Canem for the Derricotte & Eady Chapbook Prize.

He was a participant in the Maplewood Arts & Culture BLM Poetry Project, video clip below.

Juneteenth at Durand-Hedden is an annual free community event, co-hosted by Durand-Hedden House & Garden and the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race. See our event page for complete details and for free pre-registration.

RSVP TODAY