The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is proud to support community access and inclusion by providing round-trip bus transportation to Sharswood  on June 14th, 2026, for Sharswood’s annual Juneteenth celebration. Recognizing that distance and travel can be a barrier for many—particularly older adults and those without reliable transportation—the museum offers this service to ensure more members of the community can participate in this meaningful event. By connecting Danville residents to Sharswood, a historic site with deep ties to local African American history, DMFAH hopes to foster greater awareness of the historic site and of Juneteenth, while strengthening community connections across the region.

Sharswood’s Juneteenth Celebration, an event commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, is an opportunity to have fun and learn about local history. Visitors can meet the Miller Family, featured on 60 Minutes, who purchased Sharswood in 2020 and later discovered through genealogical research that they were descendants of enslaved people who lived and worked at Sharswood before Emancipation. Historic House Tours, Live Music, Food Trucks, and Vendors will be available.

About Sharswood

Prior to the American Civil War, Sharswood operated as a 2,000-acre tobacco plantation. The current main building, an1850s Gothic Revival house, was designed by New York architect Alexander Jackson Davis. An earlier, wood-frame structure, likely the original plantation house, was built before 1800. After 1820, it was divided into a duplex and used as living quarters for enslaved people at the plantation.

In 2020, the estate was purchased by Frederick Miller, a retired United States Air Force veteran. Frederick Miller, who is African-American, is the great-great-grandson of Violet and David Miller, who were both enslaved at Sharswood. His great-grandmother, Sarah Miller, was born in 1868 at Sharswood and was recorded as a member of the household in the Slave Birth Index. Miller was unaware of his ancestral connection to Sharswood at the time of his purchase. Miller and his family founded the Sharswood Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the upkeep and historical preservation of the historic property.

Registration and Tickets are Required Purchase Tickets
Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be purchased in advance. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite or at the museum.

$20 for adults
$10 for children ages 7-17
$5 for children 6 and 7 under

Schedule
11 a.m.: Bus departs Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History
11-12: Bus travels to Sharswood. Location: 685 Riceville Rd, Gretna, VA, 24557
5 p.m.: Bus Departs Sharswood for Danville
6 p.m.: Bus Returns to Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History

Bus Information: W and W Limo Motorcoach, air conditioning, bathroom available.

Parking: The bus will be parked on McGruder’s Alley behind the museum. Attendee parking is available in the parking lot behind the museum or along Sutherlin Avenue or Holbrook Avenue. The museum’s address is 975 Main Street, Danville, VA 24541.

Food: Lunch can be purchased at the event at one of the multiple food trucks that will be available. Free drinks and snacks will be available on the bus.

Note: You may want to consider bringing a foldable lawn chair.

For more information, please contact the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History at info@danvillemuseum.org or 434-793-5644.