AUSTIN, Texas — Pease Park is offering a new way to experience Black History Month with the launch of the “Lives Remembered” tours, which highlight the stories of the people who lived and labored on the land long before it became a public park.

Allison Johnson of Pease Park Conservancy and Julia Norwood of Black Austin Tours recently sat down with Sierra Waggoner to share more about the tours and the upcoming Rise: Black Freedom Communities Festival. The initiative was developed after a year of research and planning.

Allison Johnson of Pease Park Conservancy and Julia Norwood of Black Austin Tours recently sat down with Sierra Waggoner to share more about the tours and the upcoming Rise: Black Freedom Communities Festival. The initiative was developed after a year of research and planning.

Allison Johnson of Pease Park Conservancy and Julia Norwood of Black Austin Tours recently sat down with Sierra Waggoner to share more about the tours and the upcoming Rise: Black Freedom Communities Festival. The initiative was developed after a year of research and planning.

The tours are now offered twice a month and provide insight into the lives of those who were enslaved by Governor Pease and his family in the 1800s, around the time of the Civil War. Governor Pease later donated the first 23 acres to the city, establishing what would become Pease Park. The launch coincides with the celebration of 150 years of Pease Park, giving visitors a chance to explore histories that are often overlooked.

{p}She added, “It’s important to understand who lived here in the past, what their lives were like, and the history of this space. We want to share that with the community and create a welcoming space for everyone. Visitors should understand what happened here before enjoying the splash pad, birthday parties, and other activities.”{/p}

She added, “It’s important to understand who lived here in the past, what their lives were like, and the history of this space. We want to share that with the community and create a welcoming space for everyone. Visitors should understand what happened here before enjoying the splash pad, birthday parties, and other activities.”

Allison Johnson said the tours aim to share stories that are not commonly told. “Peace Park Conservancy and Black Austin Tours partnered on the research that led to these tours over the last year, and now we’re excited to officially launch them. These tours give visitors insight into the lives of the people who were enslaved by Governor Pease and his family. It’s a great opportunity to look back at 150 years of Pease Park and celebrate its history while telling the stories that are often overlooked,” Johnson said.

{p}She added, “It’s important to understand who lived here in the past, what their lives were like, and the history of this space. We want to share that with the community and create a welcoming space for everyone. Visitors should understand what happened here before enjoying the splash pad, birthday parties, and other activities.”{/p}

She added, “It’s important to understand who lived here in the past, what their lives were like, and the history of this space. We want to share that with the community and create a welcoming space for everyone. Visitors should understand what happened here before enjoying the splash pad, birthday parties, and other activities.”

Julia Norwood added, “Black Austin Tours was founded in 2019 by Dr. Havia Wallace, now a professor at Duke University. We already offer tours in East Austin and downtown, and through this partnership, we thought, what better way to engage with Austin’s history than here at Pease Park? This is just one more tour we can add to our program, and it’s been a wonderful experience.”

{p}The tours are now offered twice a month and provide insight into the lives of those who were enslaved by Governor Pease and his family in the 1800s, around the time of the Civil War. Governor Pease later donated the first 23 acres to the city, establishing what would become Pease Park. The launch coincides with the celebration of 150 years of Pease Park, giving visitors a chance to explore histories that are often overlooked.{/p}

The tours are now offered twice a month and provide insight into the lives of those who were enslaved by Governor Pease and his family in the 1800s, around the time of the Civil War. Governor Pease later donated the first 23 acres to the city, establishing what would become Pease Park. The launch coincides with the celebration of 150 years of Pease Park, giving visitors a chance to explore histories that are often overlooked.

The park is also hosting the Rise: Black Freedom Communities Festival, which celebrates the history of the more than 20 Black freedom communities that developed in Austin following emancipation. Johnson said, “This event provides opportunities to learn, have conversations, and reflect on the people who lived in these communities and where they moved over time. It’s a celebratory event with poetry activations, the Austin History Center, food vendors, and music. Peace Park is a place where we recreate and have fun, and it’s important to acknowledge the land and the people who were here before us.”

Pease Park Tours Celebrate Austin’s Black Freedom History

Pease Park Tours Celebrate Austin’s Black Freedom History

She added, “It’s important to understand who lived here in the past, what their lives were like, and the history of this space. We want to share that with the community and create a welcoming space for everyone. Visitors should understand what happened here before enjoying the splash pad, birthday parties, and other activities.”

{p}The park is also hosting the Rise: Black Freedom Communities Festival, which celebrates the history of the more than 20 Black freedom communities that developed in Austin following emancipation. Johnson said, “This event provides opportunities to learn, have conversations, and reflect on the people who lived in these communities and where they moved over time. It’s a celebratory event with poetry activations, the Austin History Center, food vendors, and music. Peace Park is a place where we recreate and have fun, and it’s important to acknowledge the land and the people who were here before us.”{/p}

The park is also hosting the Rise: Black Freedom Communities Festival, which celebrates the history of the more than 20 Black freedom communities that developed in Austin following emancipation. Johnson said, “This event provides opportunities to learn, have conversations, and reflect on the people who lived in these communities and where they moved over time. It’s a celebratory event with poetry activations, the Austin History Center, food vendors, and music. Peace Park is a place where we recreate and have fun, and it’s important to acknowledge the land and the people who were here before us.”

Community members can register online to participate in both the tours and the festival, which organizers say are designed to be educational and engaging for Austinites of all ages!
Head to peasepark.org and blackaustintours.com

{p}Community members can register online to participate in both the tours and the festival, which organizers say are designed to be educational and engaging for Austinites of all ages!{/p}{p}Head to peasepark.org and blackaustintours.com{/p}

Community members can register online to participate in both the tours and the festival, which organizers say are designed to be educational and engaging for Austinites of all ages!

Head to peasepark.org and blackaustintours.com