JUNETEENTH SESQUICENTENNIAL 1865-2015 AT

VILLA LEWAROTM THE HISTORIC LANDMARK ESTATE OF MADAM C. J. WALKER IRVINGTON-ON-HUDSON,

SESQUICENTENNIAL PROGRAM

AMBASSADOR HAROLD AND MRS. HELENA DOLEY YOUR HOSTS

JUNE 20, 2015

FROM HAROLD AND HELENA DOLEY

We are honored you have chosen to celebrate the Sesquicentennial of Juneteenth with us! Both this holiday, and this historic estate, hold great meaning not only for us but for all African-American citizens who have worked for 150 years to fulfill the American promise, and to enjoy the American dream. The significance of Madam C.J. Walker endures to this day. We hope you appreciate both the art and architecture of this historic legacy estate. Madam is here in spirit.

THE History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was two months after Appomattox, but it was nearly two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had had little impact on Texas due to the limited number of Union troops able to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, Union forces were finally strong enough to overcome resistance. There are several explanations for the two and a half year delay in the receipt of this important news. One is the story of a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another is that news was deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. Yet another is that federal troops had waited for slave owners to reap the benefits of one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All or none of these versions could be true. Certainly, for some, President Lincoln's authority over the rebellious states was in question. Regardless, conditions in Texas had remained “status quo” long after Emancipation. But at least the Civil War was over. General Granger read General Order Number 3 in Galveston: "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer." Juneteenth’s mission is to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture. Juneteenth today celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. As it takes on a more national, symbolic, and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten. A national day of pride is growing.

Visit Juneteenth.com for more on this legacy American holiday.

The History of Villa LewaroTM

Villa LewaroTM was built by Madam C. J. Walker over a two-year period beginning in 1916. Madam Walker is the first known American female—and first African-American female—self-made millionaire. The mansion is an Italianate villa house designed for Madam by Vertner Tandy, the first registered African-American architect, who considered it to be one of his greatest works. Furnished lavishly, at a cost exceeding $250,000, the estate was devised by Madam to be in a prominent position on Albany Post Road in order for legislators on their way to the state capital to understand the significance of successful African-American citizens fifty years after the end of the Civil War. The name Villa Lewaro was coined by the distinguished Enrico Caruso, a friend of Madam’s, using the first two letters of each word in Lelia Walker Robinson, Madam’s daughter. The home was used as a conference center on race-relations issues. After Madam died on these grounds, in 1919, the house eventually became the Anne E. Poth Home for Convalescent and Aged Members of the Companions of the Forest in America, and a National Historic Landmark in 1976. In 1993, Villa Lewaro was purchased by Ambassador Harold E. Doley, founder of Doley Securities, LLC, the oldest African-American-owned and operated investment banking firm in the United States. Doley has begun converting the residence into a museum. In May 2014, the National Trust for Historic Preservation began a project with the active support of Ambassador Doley to aid in determining its best legacy for African- Americans.

Our menu today is prepared by Executive Chef Robert Crawford of Noel’s Kitchen (New York City) With contributions from Helena and Harold Doley (Louisiana and Irvington) Cajun Jambalaya prepared by Chef Robert Dirty rice mix prepared by Chef Robert Cajun Pork Boudin Balls Red beans & rice prepared by Harold Doley Shrimp & grits prepared by Chef Robert Cajun Gumbo by Chef Robert Puffed local potatoes prepared by Chef Robert Potato salad prepared by Helena Doley Green salad prepared by Helena Doley Pureed sweet potatoes by Chef Robert Mac and cheese by Chef Robert Ribs by Chef Robert Wings with Cajun sauce prepared by Chef Robert Turducken sliced by Chef Robert on pistolettes with gravy sauce Lemonade and Sweet tea prepared by Chef Robert

Noel's Kitchen is a full service caterer serving the New York area Chef Robert D.A. Crawford Executive Chef 646-571-5670 www.noelscateringkichen.com Visit us on Facebook, Yelp, and Twitter

VILLA LEWARO FOUNTAINS

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE CONTRIBUTION OF HERITAGE LINK BRANDS AND PRESIDENT & CEO SELENA CUFFE!

HERITAGE LINK BRANDS IS THE NATION’S LARGEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN OWNED IMPORTER OF FINE WINES. The seeds of Heritage Link Brands were first planted in South Africa at the first annual Soweto Wine Festival in 2005. More than 500 wines from 86 producers were showcased in Soweto, formerly the spiritual center of the anti-apartheid struggle. The founders were inspired to create Heritage Link Brands after learning at the Soweto Wine Festival that people of color were grossly underrepresented within the country's and global wine industry. Today the company is the largest marketer of black-produced wine from Africa in the United States. The Heritage Link Brands portfolio of award‐winning wines from around the world is available online, and in stores and restaurants nationwide.