Juneteenth has become more widely celebrated in recent years, after becoming a federal holiday in 2021. But the holiday also has a little-known connection to the Finger Lakes region.

That’s what local historian Bruce Farrington has been working to change. For the last four years, he studied the history of Juneteenth and found a connection to the Rochester area not many know about.

“Wayne County of all places,” Farrington said. “With the birth of a man called Gordon Granger.”

Granger would go on to become an important part of the Union Army during the U. S. Civil War.

On June 18, 1865, he arrived in Texas, where he realized that enslaved people there hadn’t heard yet they were free.

“He issued general order number three,” Farrington said. ”That order, in part, said in accordance with the order from the executive of the United states, all slaves are free.”

That order from Granger set up the celebrations for freedom.

The following year, people started celebrating Juneteenth.

Now, Farrington wants to make sure people understand the origins of the day.

“Our job as a historian is to get the word out and emphasize that Wayne County played a pivotal role in the Juneteenth celebration,” Farrington said.

Juneteenth was recognized as a national holiday last year. It’s something Farrington believes is important to understanding the history of this country.