05/26/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Lafever, Director
Kelton House Museum and Garden
586 East Town Street
[email protected]
614-464-2022
Who: The Kelton House Museum and Garden, The Ohio Poetry Association and Poets Against Racism & Hate USA, Akwaaba, and Ira Hartway catering.
What: In partnership with the Ohio Poetry Association (OPA) and Poets Against Racism & Hate, Akwaaba, the Kelton House invites you to join its 2025 Juneteenth celebration with poetry, music, food, and libations.
When: Sunday, June 22, 2025, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. The Kelton House Museum and Garden, 586 East Town Street Columbus, Ohio, 43215
This event is free but donations are always accepted and appreciated. Registration is requested and available at :
https://keltonhouse.com/juneteenth-2025-a-celebration-with-poetry-music-food-and-libations/
– Columbus, OH – The Kelton House Museum and Garden will host a special Juneteenth Event focusing on drumming and poetry to lift the spirit and soul. Our celebration will feature the drumming of Akwaaba, led by founder BabaaRitah Clark who is also a dancer at Djun'kendafala Dance Company. OPA and PARH will feature the following four award-winning and renowned poets:
Susann Moeller, a bi-lingual eco- and social justice poet, serves as Vice President of the Ohio
Poetry Association (OPA) and Chancelor of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies
(NFSPS).
Chiquita Mullens Lee, acclaimed playwright and poet, serves as Arts Learning coordinator at
the Ohio Arts Council, performs with Columbus-based Wild Women Writing and leads Word
Warriors creative writing ministry.
Karen Scott, published in anthologies, reviews, and zines, keeps her fingers on the pulse of all-
things-poetry -- locally, regionally and beyond -- as her frequent attendance at open mics and
workshops testify.
Rose M. Smith, a Cave Canem Fellow, has represented Columbus at National Poetry Slams,
appeared on TEDX Columbus, and features in her own poetry collections, journals and
anthologies.
Catering will be provided by Ira Hartway, a member of the family that includes Martha and Pearl, the two young freedom seekers who were brought to the Kelton House for safety. Ira is the great great grandson of John Aurelius Hartway, Martha and Pearl’s brother, who lived in Columbus as a free man. While Pearl moved on north to safety, Martha grew up in the home and was married in the front parlor by Reverend James Preston Poindexter.
“With 42 years cooking experience from different Cultures and a few places I lived and worked in, (New Mexico, Arizona., Louisiana, and Georgia.) This is how my Legendary smoke turkey legs and cabbage, incredible jerk chicken and shrimp tacos and egg rolls and finger food cuisine was started. I was thrilled to become co-owner Avion Bar and Grill and Live Luv Eat food truck for 10 years where I turned my passion for cooking into reality. I’ve since been catering, cooking, and meal preparation for clients which has led me to further my culinary knowledge. My mission is to create memorable dishes and dining experiences mix with a unique style of taking recipes from our history and elevating them.”- Ira Hartway
Schedule-
2:00 Land Acknowledgement followed by reading of the Juneteenth Declaration
2:15 Poets and drummers
3:00 Break and refreshments
3:15 Second session of poets and drummers
4:00- 5:00 gathering with food and performance by Jordan Hartway, Ira’s nephew.
Juneteenth is the Nation’s second Independence Day which began June 19, 1865 when Union Army general Gordon Granger marched into Galveston, TX, backed by 2000 union troops, and announced the freedom of all enslaved people- a full 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln. Today, this national holiday is celebrated with barbeques and family gatherings, and keeping joy and remembrance in the center of the commemoration.
The Kelton House Museum and Garden, established in 1976 as a community project of the Junior League of Columbus celebrates decorative arts and the history of Columbus through the eyes of the Kelton Family who lived in the home for three generations. As a site on the Underground Railroad, the stories of the Hartway/Lawrence family are highlighted. Tours of the home are offered Thursdays-Sundays from noon-4pm as well as private tours, special events and weddings in our picturesque garden. For more information about volunteering, visiting or donor opportunities, visit keltonhouse.com, email [email protected] or phone 614-464-2022.
THE CORNERSTONE LANDMARK IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. PART OF THE EAST TOWN STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT Step back in time and immerse yourself in the Victorian Era through the eyes of the Kelton family. Built in 1852, this historic landmark incorporates elements of the Greek Revival and Italianate styles and .....
