PAST EVENTS

2025 Delaware City-Polktown
Juneteenth Observance Events

Juneteenth — the 19th of June of every year has been a national holiday in the United States since President Joe Biden signed the bill, Pub. L. 117-17, on June 17, 2021. For many decades the joy of Juneteenth has been celebrated in Black communities with family and community gatherings.

This year, the FAUCC is celebrating by organizing the Delaware City/Polktown Juneteenth Observance. In conjunction with Main Street, the Delaware City Library and the Mt. Salem U.A.M.E. Church, we will begin, as the USCT did, on Shove Off Day, May 24th and end on June 19th. Planning has begun and has far to go, but we have the enthusiastic support of the City of Delaware City and many residents, Black and White, including some descendants of early Polktown residents.

May 24, Shove Off Day:

10 am at the Delaware City Library
“Shove Off for Freedom” a program for all ages by Kathy Trusty — independent historian, Black history educator, children’s book author
Shove Off Day continues at Fort Delaware

12:30 pm Ferry to Fort Delaware - Tickets: $7 each for those attending the morning program

1:30 pm Pizza Lunch at Pavilion, Fort Delaware State Park

3 pm Children’s games and activities typical of the Civil War Era, led by Fort Delaware Staff

Click here for a Shove Off Day flyer!

Saturday, June 7, "Looking Backward/Moving Forward"

1 pm at Delaware City Battery Park Gazebo
“Harriet Tubman and the Tilly Rescue” with Debra Martin

3 pm at the Delaware City Library
Artist’s Tour of “Landscapes of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway” with E. Lynn Dilliplane

5 pm at the Delaware City Community Center
The Sankofa African Drum and Dance Company Film: The Tilly Escape by the Seaford Historical Society will be shown throughout the afternoon of the 7th at the Delaware City Library

Tuesday, June 17:

6 pm at the Delaware City Library: “African American Genealogy Research: Resources and Strategies” presented by Delaware Public Archives and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society

Thursday, June 19 - Juneteenth:

10 am Juneteenth Commemorative Service, a solemn ceremony at the African Union Church Cemetery
Music by the Hildaman Chorale and Mount Salem U.A.M.E. Church Choir
Afternoon through evening Black-Owned Business Exhibits and Vendors at Delaware City Battery Park

5:30 pm Suite Franchon and Friends performance at Battery Park Gazebo

6 pm Best Kept Soul performance at Battery Park Gazebo

Sunday, June 22:

12:00 pm Mount Salem U.A.M.E. Church’s Juneteenth Worship Service

After Church Service Community Cookout. A traditional community cookout offered by the Mount Salem U.A.M.E. Church congregation on the church grounds. Performances celebrating Black history and culture.

Throughout the Juneteenth celebration period at the Delaware City Library:

• Photography exhibit by E. Lynn Dilliplane, “Landscapes of the Delaware Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway” May 26 through June 21

• Juneteenth themed educational programs: Book Club 5/27; Kids Cook 5/28; MakerSpace for Adults, Folk-Art Inspired Craft 6/2; Teen and Tweens Culture 6/11; Kalmar Nyckel: 5 Ways to Freedom – Navigating Delaware’s Underground Railroad 6/16; Children’s Storytime 6/17; Kids Craft 6/17; Cooking with Cathy for Tweens and Teens 6/18 For details and to register visit https://delawarecity.lib.de.us/

For sponsors, donors and event updates please visit https://juneteenth-delcity.org/

For cemetery location, please visit https://africanunioncemetery.org/

Upd. 040325pm

Click here for a downoadable flyer!

Juneteenth 2024

Juneteenth — the 19th of June of every year has been a national holiday in the United States since President Joe Biden signed the bill, Pub. L. 117-17, on June 17, 2021. For many decades the joy of Juneteenth has been celebrated in Black communities with family and community gatherings.

This year, the FAUCC is celebrating by organizing the Delaware City/Polktown Juneteenth Observance. In conjunction with Main Street, the Delaware City Library and the Mt. Salem U.A.M.E. Church, we will begin, as the USCT did, on Shove Off Day, May 25th and end on June 19th. Planning has begun and has far to go, but we have the enthusiastic support of the City of Delaware City and many residents, Black and White, including some descendants of early Polktown residents.

May 25, Shove Off Day:

10:00-12:30 At the Delaware City Library, 250 Fifth St., Delaware City:
“African Americans and the Civil War” with Kathy Trusty, A Delaware Humanities program for children & adults

Interact with the 3rd Regiment, United States Colored Troops Reenactors
Musical Selections by Charonda Johnson

3:00 at Fort Delaware State Park:

“Voices from the Past: Pvt. James H. Elbert, USCT” An FAUCC program with Willis Phelps

NOTE: Must board the ferry at Delaware City Battery Park no later than 2:00 PM. Ferry fee required. Drawing for several free passages will be held during the morning event.

Friday, June 7, 6 PM
Delaware City’s own Suite Franchon celebrates Juneteenth in Music, Poetry, and Storytelling for the whole family. Sponsored by and held at the Delaware City Library, 250 Fifth St., Delaware City.

Sunday, June 16, at 10:00 A.M.:

10:00 Mount Salem U.A.M.E. Church invites the community to a special Juneteenth worship service with their congregation, on the church grounds, 305 4th St., Delaware City.

12:00 Community Cookout. Everyone is invited to a traditional community cookout offered by the Mount Salem U.A.M.E Church congregation on the church grounds. Performances by Suite Franchon, Prianne Hall, Amos Sisters Praise Dancers, and others celebrating Black history and culture.

June 16 to June 21: Contemporary photography exhibit by E. Lynn Dilliplane, “Landscapes of the Delaware Harriett Tubman Underground Railroad Byway” at The Central Hotel Petite Social, 85 Clinton St., Delaware City. Sponsored by Main Street Delaware City, Inc.

Wednesday, June 19, at 10:00 A.M.: The federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

10:00 AM: Juneteenth Memorial Service, a solemn Ceremony at the African Union Church Cemetery in honor of those who have fought and who continue to fight for freedom. Walk to 1840 Michael N. Castle Trail, Delaware City; enter from 5th Street across from Community Center. Accessible transportation available for persons with mobility challenges. Sponsored by the Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery (FAUCC).

6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.: Best Kept Soul, an evening of R&B and Soul, at the bandstand in Battery Park, 31 Clinton St., Delaware City. Sponsored by Main Street Delaware City, Inc. Friends

Click here for a flyer!

Click here for the trifold with complete information!

Our Film Debut

The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery introduces “Voices Long Forgotten,” commemorating Black history in New Castle County.

The 20-minute video tells the story of Polktown, its restored African Union Church Cemetery, and a particular United States Colored Troops soldier, Pvt. James H. Elbert, who fought in the Civil War. He was among the thousands of free Blacks who enlisted in the USCT and opposed the Confederacy.

The free public showing will be Friday, October 14, 2022 at 7 p.m. at the Delaware City Fire Company, 815 5 th Street, with refreshments and a reception.

The film features Dr. David Orr and historical reënactor Willis Phelps telling the story of Pvt. James Elbert and his free Black village beside the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. An appearance by the Mt. Salem UAME Church choir and amazing photography of the African Union Church Cemetery bring the past into the present.

The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery is a nonprofit organization. It maintains the historic cemetery at the city-end of the Mike Castle Trail and interprets local history through programs and publications. The video builds on the Friends’ long-running “Voices from the Past” living history program presented to schools and other organizations

“Voices Long Forgotten” was produced in conjunction with Sharon K. Baker of TELEDUCTION, INC. Contact TELEDUCTION at sbaker@teleduction.com or www.teleduction.com. Funding was provided in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and Delaware Humanities as part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act.

Click here for details

Fall Fest 2019

Come see us at our second Fall Fest and Members' Event
on Saturday October 5, 2019
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
at
The American BirdingAssociation Headquarters
located in The Central Hotel,
93 Clinton Street, Delaware City, 19706

Refreshments will be served.
This event is free (donations gratefully accepted).

Click here for a flyer

The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery

was at

Delaware City Day

Saturday July 15 2017

We made some new friends and saw some old ones. Willis presented James Elbert, and we gave away about 50 tree seedlings as our door prize.

The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery

was at 

Delaware City Day

Saturday July 18 2015

Stop by our booth to learn about our progress and see some photos of the improvements to the cemetery!

Click here to get the details.

The 3rd Annual First State Mayor's Charity Ball

You are invited to join the Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery at the 2014 First State Mayor's Charity Ball, presented by Mayor Stanley Green and the city of Delaware City. This year the beneficiaries are Historic Fort Delaware and the Delaware City Playground Fund.

This black-tie event will  be held at the Delaware City Fire Company's Ballroom, with hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and dancing.

Saturday, March 8, 2014
8:00 -  12:00 p.m.

Details here!

The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery

We were at the August Quarterly

At the

Tubman Garrett-Riverfront Park in Wilmington, DE

Saturday and Sunday, August 24-25 2013

Look for our booth!

We will be talking about our group, the cemetery, and our plans. Willis Phelps, our President, will be re-enacting historic figures and teaching about African-American history.

Hope to see you there.

Click here for more information.

The 2nd Annual First State Mayor's Charity Ball

The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery has been designated as one of the beneficiaries of the 2013 First State Mayor's Charity Ball, presented by Mayor John Buchheit and the city of Delaware City.

This black-tie event will  be held at the Delaware City Fire Company's Ballroom, with hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and dancing.

Saturday, February 23, 2013
8:00 p.m.

The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery

Hosted a Fund Raiser

At

Crabby Dick's Restaurant

30 Clinton St, Delaware City

302-832-5100

Thursday, April 19, 2012
4:00 p.m. to closing

20% of the cost of your meal and drinks will be donated to

the Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery

The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery

Hosted a

“Friend Raiser Event”

At the

Delaware City Library – Motiva Room

5th & Bayard Street

Right here in Delaware City lies an unheralded bit of American history – an unmarked cemetery containing the remains of generations of African-American people from our area. This cemetery is the burial place of 5 members of the US Colored Troops who served bravely on the side of the Union in the Civil War.

It is our mission to restore this cemetery, owned by the Mt. Salem Union AME church, and to tell the story of the mostly forgotten people who lived, died, and were buried there.

Join us to learn about the proposed trail and planned restoration of this cemetery.

Saturday, March 17, 2012
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Short program at 1:30 p.m.

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED

Suggested donation of $5.00 per person

R.S.V.P. by March 14, 2012