We the People

by Susan Zehnder, Education Director

In 2004, the United States Congress passed 36 U.S. Code § 106  which recognized September 17^th as Constitution and Citizenship Day. The purpose was to promote literacy and understanding of the American constitution.  While not a federal holiday, the law asks “each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year (to) hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.”

Does it count if we started things in July? On the 3^rd of that month, CCHS held a community event at the Clemens Center to increase awareness of an oft quoted and important historical document. We called it the Constitution Read because that’s what took place: community members read aloud the entire constitution. We had invited anyone interested in reading, and available to join us, asking that they were 14 years old and up (future voters in four years) and that no one wore political buttons, hats, or t-shirts to the event. 45 community members signed up. Everything went smoothly. We were grateful to the Clemens Center staff and volunteers for helping us and to the audience of readers, friends, and family who stayed to listen. Reading the entire document, all 7,686 words, took an hour. When a section of the document had been changed or amended, we let everyone know by holding up a sign. The event was filmed and many readers shared that it was their first time hearing the whole thing, and asked when we would do it again. In the months since, groups from two southern states have contacted us wanting to know how they could do something similar.

Constitution Read event

Recognizing the importance of the constitution by having a special day was the brainchild of Louise Leigh. Born in 1914 in Gloversville, NY, she moved to Southern California to work as a medical technologist. Leigh became politically active with Republican causes and was appointed Presidential Elector, Delegate to two National Republican conventions, and served as the California Republican Assembly Historian. When she retired from her medical work in 1997, she taught English to immigrants, tutored children, and started a campaign to improve constitutional literacy. Her work was recognized and honored by various political and civic organizations including the Southern Division Federated Republican Women, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the National Center for Constitutional Studies.

In October, CCHS will continue to do our part to promote constitutional literacy. Starting October 3^rd, until November 15^th, we are hosting Voices and Votes: Democracy in America from the Smithsonian Institute's Traveling Exhibition Services. It is a detailed look at some of the complex issues surrounding our country’s vision and understanding of democracy. To go along with it, our Senior Curator and Archivist have put together an exhibit connecting local and national issues. We also have programs to share more information about the exhibit and the topic in general. On October 8^th at noon, CCHS staff will talk about hosting the exhibit. On October 21^st at 7 pm, Dr. Danny Lempert, a former political science professor and current Cornell University law student, will be speaking on “The Voting Rights Act of 1965: Past, Present, and Future.” On the evening of October 23^rd, we are running a game night using materials from the exhibit to spark community conversations. On November 12^th, at noon, members of the Chemung County Board of Elections will be sharing a behind the scenes look at what they do. Inspired by the exhibit, we are working with the Arnot Art Museum and holding a Vote! poster contest. Poster submissions are due in December and more details can be found in our exhibit and on our website. And not to be left out, all Elmira City School District first graders will again be creating flags to hang on display in our museum.  

Flags from last year's First Graders

The film recorded at the Constitution Read will also be showing in the galleries. We invite everyone to come explore the exhibit, participate in discussions, and try out the games. What does it mean to vote? Whose voices are heard? Who is an American? We may not all agree on the answers, but asking the questions offers us a chance to better understand our country and each other: we ARE the people of this great country.

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America will be on display to the public October 3 – November 15^th Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. To get the latest CCHS information, sign up for our e-newsletter by writing to CCHS@ChemungValleyMuseum.org for more information.

Revisiting Juneteenth

by Susan Zehnder, Education Director

(This is an updated repost of something published last year)

From WENY

Juneteenth is a celebration and things will be even more festive at this year’s Juneteenth festivals. Not only does it fall on a Saturday, and we are coming out of pandemic restrictions, but days ago it was officially recognized as the country’s 11^th Federally observed holiday. It passed with bipartisan support. Because of this, I chose to update a blog I did last year and post this quick recap of the holiday's origins. 

The holiday name refers to the day it happened. On June 19^th in 1865, two months after the last significant battles of the Civil War ended, Union General Gordon Granger and his troops arrived in Galveston, Texas.

In two months, the men had traveled 460 miles coming from Mobile, Alabama. They covered eight miles a day. Usually, troops covered 15-30 miles per day, so it was a slow journey. The news they brought to Galveston quickly changed lives and history, giving cause for celebration. For two months earlier the Confederate leader of the Army of Northern Virginia had surrendered, the American Civil War was now over, and all enslaved people were to be freed.

Two years before this, Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Under his presidential order, “all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are and henceforth shall be free” and the proclamation encouraged all rebellious states to rejoin the Union. Lincoln intended to win the war while preserving the Union. In the end, no southern states joined the Union, and his proclamation did not actually free any enslaved people at the time. It still allowed slave-holding states, fighting on the side of the Union, to retain slaves. It also did not require areas held by the Union to free enslaved people. However, it did allow freed slaves to join the Union army, an army desperately short of soldiers.

The importance of the Emancipation Proclamation is how it became a catalyst in changing the US Constitution. It was instrumental in passing the 13^th (1865), 14^th (1868), and 15^th (1870) Constitutional amendments. These amendments address the abolishment of slavery; the granting of citizenship to former slaves; and prohibition of states from denying citizenship to former slaves.

In 1861, Texas had declared secession from the United States and joined the Rebel cause. Soldiers wanting to fight for Texas, headed east, and almost no battles were fought on Texas soil. The two-year gap between Lincoln’s proclamation and Granger’s delivery of the news in 1865 brought little change to the institution of slavery in Texas. By the time the official word arrived in Galveston, new restrictions had already been put in place. These included forbidding formerly enslaved people to “travel on public thoroughfares unless they had passes or permits from their employers.” Despite these restrictions, and facing possible fines, Black people gathered and celebrated.

Juneteenth is sometimes called Freedom Day, Jubilee Day and Cel-Liberation Day. Since 1865 it has been celebrated in various communities throughout the nation. Now it’s a national holiday. 

In Chemung County, Juneteenth celebrations started being observed in 1993, and have been observed ever since. Last year the event was virtual, so this year’s theme, “Devoted to Unity” is all about being a community. To find out more about this year’s event highlights and performers, visit the Juneteenth facebook page. Celebrations will take place in Elmira’s Ernie Davis Park with a central stage for musical acts and performances. There will be vendors and lots of food. Past celebrations have included prayers led by Black ministers, patriotic demonstrations, Juneteenth history, and exhibitions by local groups. This year the event is adding a pop-up vaccination site, something we hope will be gone in the future.

The news that arrived in Galveston more than 155 years ago is part of our nation’s complicated history. Being reminded that the past informs the future can sometimes be worth a second read.