Freedom Walk 2026 Arrives in Farmington: Celebrate Junetheenth at 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum

Description

FARMINGTON — FreedomWalk2026, a 750-mile modern-day pilgrimage retracing historic Underground Railroad routes from Maryland to Canada, will arrive in Farmington later this month with a public gathering at the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum on Juneteenth.

The Farmington stop brings the journey directly into one of the most historically significant locations along the Underground Railroad corridor in New York State. The Meetinghouse, long associated with abolitionist activity and reform movements, will serve as a focal point for community reflection, education, and public participation as the walk continues north toward Canada.

FreedomWalk2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American independence by honoring the legacy of self-liberators, abolitionists, and the networks that helped guide enslaved people to freedom. The journey is designed not only to preserve history, but to use it as a catalyst for truth-telling, dialogue and civic engagement.

Led by historian Anthony Cohen, who first walked the route in 1996, participants will travel 750 miles by foot, boat, and rail, intentionally using the same modes of transportation available to 19th-century freedom seekers. The walk began May 4 in Sandy Spring, Md. and will conclude July 4 in Ontario, Canada.

At the center of the pilgrimage is the Harriet Tubman Journey to Freedom statue, a large bronze sculpture created in 2019 by artist Wesley Wofford. The sculpture – pulled by a truck -- accompanies the walk as a focal point for reflection, dialogue, and collective engagement with the ongoing struggle for freedom and justice.

For those interested in joining Cohen and the Freedom Walkers as they make their way through the Finger Lakes, visit www.menare.org/freedomwalk2026-join to register.

Farmington Juneteenth Program — Friday, June 19

The 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum and Farmington Friends Meetinghouse will welcome Cohen and fellow walkers with a free public program that includes tours, music, living history, and community fellowship.

2 –5 p.m. — Open House & Tours

Historic tours of the 1816 Meetinghouse and viewing of the Harriet Tubman statue.

5 – 7 p.m. — Strawberry Social

Hosted by Farmington Friends Meeting with refreshments and community fellowship.

7 –9 p.m. — Evening Program

Presentation by Anthony Cohen, abolitionist songs by Farmington Friends, and special appearances by freedom seeker Austin Steward and General Gordon Granger, who grew up nearby and later issued the order in Galveston, Texas, that announced emancipation and gave rise to the Juneteenth observance.

Additional Weekend Events

Thursday, June 18 — WXXI “Connections”

At 1 p.m., host Evan Dawson will feature Anthony Cohen in conversation with Norm Strothers (AKWAABA: The Heritage Associates), Christine Ridarsky (Rochester and Monroe County Historian), and Judith Wellman (Historical New York Research Associates).

Thursday, June 18 — Erie Canal Park, Macedon

The Harriet Tubman statue will be featured at the 1816 Farmington Meetinghouse information table during the community band concert at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 20 — “A Gathering of Women” at Memorial AME Zion Church, Rochester

Presented by AKWAABA from 9 a.m. to noon: The Heritage Associates and Freedom Walker Tony Cohen, featuring living-history portrayals of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Anna Murray Douglass, and Harriet Jacobs, along with a tour of the church's historic stained-glass windows.

Saturday, June 20 — Parcel 5, Rochester

The Harriet Tubman statue will be on public display during the Rochester International Jazz Festival from 1 to 9 p.m.

Sponsors and Partners

FreedomWalk2026 is made possible through the support of community partners and sponsors committed to truth-telling, education, and civic engagement through public history, including AKWAABA: The Heritage Associates; Rochester and Monroe County Historian's Office; 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum; Wayne County Tourism Office; Macedon Historical Society; Rochester Friends Meeting; Farmington Friends Meeting; First Unitarian Church of Rochester; Universal Human Rights Group of Greater Rochester Community of Churches and Interfaith Alliance of Rochester; Monroe Community College; and Visit Finger Lakes.

All programs are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit https://farmingtonmeetinghouse.org/ or email info@farmingtonmeetinghouse.org.