blog entry

Jubilee at Celia Mann's

Tomorrow, the Jubilee Festival gives us a good reason to remember Celia Mann, a woman who defied the times in which she lived--as a freed slave, homeowner, and as a woman entrepreneur.  

Activities take place around her house, which is part of the historic district downtown. 

Nearly all activities at the event are free and include:

• music by Drink Small and Evelyn “Champagne” King
• a drumline and step off
• hands-on children’s activities
• storytellers
• and tours of the Mann-Simons cottage (Celia Mann’s house) and the Modjeska Simkins house.

This website gives a lot of background on both Celia Mann and her house. Mann worked as a midwife after gaining her freedom and walking to Columbia. 

First Calvary Baptist Church was formed in her basement and members met there, then in her stables as the congregation grew.

This is the 30th anniversary of the Jubilee Festival, which starts at 10am tomorrow (Saturday).

PS:  Snapshots from the festival are in the skirt! photogallery.