Mural Honoring 54th Massachusetts at Center of Juneteenth Celebration
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| Attendees at Pittsfield's Juneteenth Celebration on Sunday take turns reading the names of soldiers from Berkshire County who served in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry in the Civil War. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – At a time when the nation remembers the liberation of the last enslaved people in the United States, the city Sunday remembered some of the heroes who made that freedom possible.
Pittsfield’s annual Juneteenth Celebration at Durant Park featured the unveiling of a new mural dedicated to the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and, specifically, the Pittsfield residents who served in the nation’s first all-Black combat unit.
Reenactors from the contemporary 54th Regiment based in Boston were on hand to help with the dedication and read General Order No. 3, issued by the Union Army in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, notifying residents of the frontier town that the Civil War – which ended in mid-April – was over and slavery was abolished throughout the now unified nation.
With that anniversary just a few days away, the NAACP Berkshire Branch hosted a daylong celebration that began with a flag raising at City Hall and freedom walk to Durant Park and included a community worship service, games, food and musical performances by local artists.
The president of the local NAACP chapter called the event, “Truly a day of freedom.”
“Truly a day for everyone to feel free, relaxed and safe as we celebrate, as a community,” Dennis Powell said.
Mayor Peter Mrachetti read a proclamation from the city to honor Juneteenth.
“Whereas Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Emancipation Day, stands as a symbol of a long and arduous journey toward freedom, justice and equality for African-Americans, it marks our second Independence Day,” Marchetti read. And whereas Juneteenth honors the rich heritage, culture and contributions of African-Americans to our society, recognizing their resilience, strength and enduring spirit.
“And whereas Juneteenth provides an opportunity for all Americans to reflect on our history, acknowledge the injustices of the past and commit to building a more inclusive and equitable future for all. And whereas the observance of Juneteenth fosters education, unity and solidarity among all people … I, Peter M. Marchetti, mayor of the City of Pittsfield, on behalf of its citizens and city officials, do hereby proclaim June 19th, 2025, as Juneteenth National Independence Day in the City of Pittsfield.”
The highlight of Sunday’s opening ceremony saw members of the Rites of Passage and Empowerment mentorship program hand out placards with the names and hometowns of soldiers from throughout the county who served in the 54th Massachusetts, which suffered a 42 percent casualty rate in an attack on Fort Wagner in South Carolina in July 1863.
The community members then took turns stepping up to the microphone and reading the name of a serviceman who fought to preserve the union and end slavery.
“Because of them, we are here,” Powell said, thanking the members of the 54th Massachusetts for their service. “There’s an old African proverb that says, ‘As long as we remember someone, they never die.’ So these names, we will remember forever.
“And they will be displayed here in Durant Park with the mural that we are about to cut the ribbon on.”
