Mabry-Hazen House Celebrates Juneteenth!

Join us to Hear stories of historic emancipation and triumph from struggle in the lives of the enslaved at Mabry-Hazen House!

Tours are FREE but limited to 24 visitors per session. Donations are appreciated.

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

  • Tours offered at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm

Saturday, June 22, 2024

  • Museum open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

  • Tours offered at 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, and 1:30 pm

Mabry-Hazen House will share stories, objects, and research related to the historic house museum, local enslaved communities, and their stories of emancipation. Visitors will learn about the lives of African-Americans connected to Mabry-Hazen House, their achievements and struggles, and the various methods they used to gain freedom. From self-liberation to the 13th Amendment, “..And Then I Became Free: Stories of Emancipation at Mabry-Hazen House” explores the different methods enslaved people broke down the oppressive institution of American chattel slavery and fought to gain personal liberty.

On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 6 pm, Executive Director Patrick Hollis will give a talk on the life and emancipation of Wiley Mabry.

The story of Wiley Mabry offers a celebratory yet sobering tale of the lengths enslaved African-Americans took to obtain their freedom. Only fragments exist from Wiley's life, yet an 1872 Southern Claims Commission report reveals a fascinating and powerful detail about him: Wiley Mabry bought himself.

Since discovering this fascinating story, more details about Wiley and his experiences after his self-emancipation have emerged. From political activism to marriage, family, and beyond, join Patrick Hollis to hear Wiley's story, learn about Black life in Knoxville during the 1870s, and understand Hollis's research process into the fragmentary evidence sketching Wiley's life.

Admission is FREE. Join us at 6 pm at Mabry-Hazen House.