Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Image for event: The History of Emancipation & Juneteenth

Registration now closed

The History of Emancipation & Juneteenth

2025-06-16 18:00:00 2025-06-16 19:00:00 America/New_York The History of Emancipation & Juneteenth Author & historian Christopher Daley offers an engaging exploration of key events in the journey to emancipation and the evolution of Juneteenth. Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room

Monday, June 16
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-06-16 18:00:00 2025-06-16 19:00:00 America/New_York The History of Emancipation & Juneteenth Author & historian Christopher Daley offers an engaging exploration of key events in the journey to emancipation and the evolution of Juneteenth. Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room

Author & historian Christopher Daley offers an engaging exploration of key events in the journey to emancipation and the evolution of Juneteenth.

Galveston 1865

Author & historian Christopher Daley offers an engaging exploration of key events and milestones in the journey to emancipation. He will discuss the abolitionist movement, the election of Abraham Lincoln, Fremont’s Emancipation, Hunter’s Emancipation, and General Benjamin Butler’s “Contraband of War” orders.

Daley also delves into the Emancipation Proclamation—its timing, political implications, and the people it directly impacted—as well as the gradual emancipation of enslaved individuals by Federal troops as they advanced through Confederate states. The presentation highlights the end of the Civil War, the arrival of Federal troops in Texas, and the historic issuance of General Order No. 3 on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas. Finally, it traces Juneteenth’s evolution from a local Galveston celebration to its recognition as a national holiday.

Sponsored by the Wilbraham Friends of the Library. Registration is requested as space is limited.

About Christopher: Christopher Daley has been captivating audiences across New England for over 30 years with engaging presentations on historical topics. Over the past three years, he has expanded his reach nationally, delivering virtual lectures via Zoom to audiences throughout the United States. His talks have been featured at libraries, historical societies, schools, and various clubs and organizations.

Chris holds both a B.A. and an M.A. in Political Science and History from Bridgewater State University. He has held several notable positions in the field of history, including serving as President of the Pembroke Historical Society and Chairman of the Pembroke Historical Commission. Additionally, he worked as a docent and Coordinator of Educational Outreach at the John Alden House Historic Site. After a 25-year career teaching history at the Silver Lake Regional School System in Kingston, Massachusetts, Chris recently retired to focus on his historical endeavors.

As a writer, Chris has contributed numerous articles on diverse historical topics to local publications and authored the book Murder and Mayhem in Boston: Historic Crimes in the Hub. His expertise has also been sought for television, including serving as a historical consultant on the Sacco-Vanzetti case for the Travel Channel's Time Traveling with Brian Unger and appearing as a historian in two episodes of Kindred Spirits focusing on the Lizzie Borden case.

Chris collaborates with his wife, Cathy, who serves as DaleyHistory's professional photographer and fellow researcher. The couple resides in the picturesque White Mountains of New Hampshire.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Lecture | History & Genealogy |

Wilbraham Public Library

Phone: 413-596-6141

Hours

Today's hours

We're open 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Mon, Jul 07 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 08 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jul 09 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 10 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Fri, Jul 11 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jul 12 9:00AM to 2:00PM
Sun, Jul 13 Closed

About the branch

The Wilbraham Public Library provides resources and opportunities for community learning, recreation, and making connections.

Upcoming Events

Thu, Jul 10, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Bring your teddy bears to the library!
Registration is now closed

Thu, Jul 10, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Taught by Julie Stepanek, teens learn how to play the ukulele.
Registration is now closed

Sat, Jul 12, 10:00am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Back by popular demand! Paint your own custom tote bag.
This event is full

Mon, Jul 14, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal reveals that, behind the legend is a unique colonial hero and scapegoat whose life story was fascinating, exciting, bizarre, and heartrending.
Register

Tue, Jul 15, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Yoga with Lisa Katz!

Tue, Jul 15, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Teens learn to paint on a mason jar, making a unique glass project to take home.

Tue, Jul 15, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Adults 18+ will learn to paint on glass, making a unique project to take home.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
GIANTS & GIRAFFES | DRAGONS & DETECTIVES

Wed, Jul 16, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Learn how to search Ancestry Library Edition to find more information about your family history in this hands-on program.

Thu, Jul 17, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a delightful craft event just for puzzle lovers!

Thu, Jul 17, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual
Explore the intricate world of Legend with Marie Lu as she encourages readers to look beyond the surface and reveal hidden secrets.
Register

Fri, Jul 18, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us to create some hand-stamped tea towels!
This event is full

Mon, Jul 21, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Learn how to create budget-friendly & heart healthy meals with the Food Bank of of Western Massachusetts! Free sample included!

Mon, Jul 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Morrie Schwartz's wisdom has resonated with people due to the beloved memoir, Tuesdays with Morrie. Now we have the opportunity to speak with his son, Rob Schwartz, about the The Wisdom of Morrie.
Register

Tue, Jul 22, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Playful Engineers will host an interactive workshop for children.

Tue, Jul 22, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Playful Engineers will host an interactive workshop for teens.

Wed, Jul 23, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Yoga with Lisa Katz!

Wed, Jul 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual
You’re invited to join us online with award-winning author Rex Ogle as he talks to viewers about his struggles to navigate sixth grade as written about in his book Free Lunch. 
Register

Wed, Jul 23, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Led by Jessica Magill For questions, contact Jessica: jessicammagill@hotmail.com

Sat, Jul 26, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Family-friendly event!

Mon, Jul 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Teens will learn how to transform paper into 3D art, and will create their own unique greeting card to take home.

Mon, Jul 28, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Monthly meeting on the fourth Monday of the month. Books are available to pick up at the Service Desk; new comers are always welcome.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:00am - 11:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration
Registration opens Monday, July 14 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Jul 30, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Play life-sized games like Jenga, Connect 4, Uno and outdoor games too! 

Thu, Jul 31, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
High energy hula hoop performance!

Thu, Jul 31, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual
You’re invited to a fascinating conversation with neurologist and author Pria Anand to chat about her new book The Electric Mind: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains
Register

Fri, Aug 01, 9:30am - 10:00am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Discovering stories and song in English and Spanish with Miss Brooklyn!
Registration opens Monday, July 14 2025 at 9:00am

Sat, Aug 02, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Family-friendly event!
Registration opens Monday, July 14 2025 at 9:00am

Mon, Aug 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Shana Galen and Mimi Matthews will discuss their books, writing, and the state of historical fiction in publishing.
Register

Tue, Aug 05, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
The daytime monthly book discussion group facilitated by Library Director Karen Ball. New members always welcome!

Tue, Aug 05, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual
Delve into the fascinating world of birds through astonishing photography and clear explanations in this absorbing global guide, The Bird Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Birds.
Register

Wed, Aug 06, 12:30pm - 1:15pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Get a unique henna design from Mandy of Wicked Good Henna!
Registration opens Monday, July 21 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Aug 06, 1:15pm - 2:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Teens can get their own unique henna tattoo from Mandy of Wicked Good Henna.
Registration opens Wednesday, July 16 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Aug 06, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Meets the first Wednesday of every other month. Participants will make and share dishes from the month’s selected cookbook. (Please sign up for the Cookbook Club by Monday, August 4th. Thank you!)

Thu, Aug 07, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A representative from BCBS will help you understand your Medicare health insurance options outside of your employer-sponsored coverage, whether or not you’re planning to retire.
Registration opens Thursday, July 17 2025 at 9:00am