Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when news of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, marking a long‑delayed promise of freedom. What began on the Texas coast soon gave rise to an enduring tradition of remembrance and celebration.
Join us as historians Ed Cotham and Samuel Collins III discuss a moment rooted in Texas history that grew into something much larger. Together, they explore how the legacy of Juneteenth continues to be recognized and remembered across generations.
Presenters:
Samuel Collins III has provided financial consulting services in Galveston County for 26 years as the owner of SLC Investment Services. In 2015, he was named Galveston County’s Citizen of the Year for his extensive work in preservation at the local, state, and national levels.
A 1994 graduate of Texas A&M University and a lifelong resident of Galveston County, Sam currently serves as an advisor with the National Trust for Historic Preservation representing Texas. He is actively involved in the national #TellTheFullStory campaign and was instrumental in the effort to recognize the Sugar Land 95. Additionally, he serves as co-chair of the Levi Jordan Advisory Committee and was past co-chair of the Juneteenth Mural Committee in Galveston
Ed Cotham is active in the preservation of Civil War and Texas historic sites. He is a former President of the Houston Civil War Round Table, a volunteer Marine Steward for the Texas Historical Commission, and one of the founders of the Friends of Sabine Pass Battleground. He has published eight books on Civil War history, focusing primarily on Texas. His published works include Juneteenth: The Story Behind the Celebration, which was published by State House Press in 2021. For 28 years, Ed has led Civil War walking tours in Galveston. Many of these tours include a stop at the site of the Osterman Building where the historic Juneteenth Order was issued.