June 19th marks Juneteenth, a holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. Historic Smithfield in Blacksburg honored Juneteenth by reading aloud the names of those who were enslaved at the plantation.
Representatives from local branches of the NAACP, and other community members, read aloud the names of 226 people known to have been enslaved at Smithfield, many of whom do not have a recorded last name.
The ceremony took place beside the remnants of the giant Merry Tree, a landmark oak tree that was a gathering place for enslaved people at this plantation. The crowd was solemn as small pieces of paper with each name was attached to the bark of the Merry Tree…