Finger Lakes Blog

Since 2021 we've been celebrating Juneteenth in the Finger Lakes and this year was filled with incredible moments. From music performances and poetry to art and dance the Juneteenth celebration in Elmira, New York was a celebration of culture. The annual event is organized by the Elmira Economic Opportunity Program and was held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Ernie Davis Park.

Although it's been celebrated for years in African American communities, Juneteenth is a new federal holiday

Courtesy of Wikipedia

John W. Jones is an essential part of Elmira’s abolitionist history and the definition of Black Excellence. As an agent on the Underground Railroad, he assisted over 800 freedom seekers make their way to freedom. As a sexton, he buried Confederate soldiers during the Civil War and treated each one with the utmost respect. His determination and work ethic made him the wealthiest black man in upstate New York.

I hadn’t heard of John Jones before I visited Elmira, New York

Collard greens have roots in the African American community and to celebrate Black History we’re sharing a Finger Lakes Wine-Braised Collard Greens recipe and tracing the history of this ancient vegetable.

Collard greens date back to prehistoric times. They are the oldest leafy green within the cabbage family. Collard greens originated near Greece, but it wasn’t until the first Africans arrived in Jamestown, Virginia in the early 1600's that America got its first taste of the delicious dark