When jazz vocalist Angela Hagenbach discovered her mother had passed away without sharing that their ancestral roots traced back to Weston, MO, it launched a genealogical quest that would transform how an entire town sees its past.
Hagenbach, a two-time U.S. Cultural Jazz Ambassador who’s graced stages in 17 countries and the Kennedy Center, uncovered something remarkable.
Weston — a popular weekend getaway destination 40 minutes north of Kansas City — used to have a large Black community.
In 1850, more than a third of Weston’s 5,000 residents were Black. Today, the town of 1,700 is about 95% White, and the stories of the city’s former Black residents have vanished from the historic river town’s narrative.
“There wasn’t any of that history there when you go there,” says Hagenbach, whose research revealed her third great-grandmother, Dinah Robinson, was enslaved in Weston and bought her freedom in 1859.
That discovery sparked the Black Ancestors Awareness Campaign (BAAC), which operates as a standing committee of the Weston Historical Museum and puts on the town’s annual Juneteenth commemoration.
This year marks the organization’s fifth annual Juneteenth Heritage Jubilee — taking place this Saturday, June 14, at Red Barn Farm.
The jubilee draws around 200 attendees annually to the charming river town famed for its historic bed & breakfasts, wineries, distillery, and nearby state park.
Hagenbach hopes the jubilee will inspire other Black descendants of Weston to come forward with their own family histories.
“We’re telling Weston stories,” Hagenbach says. “We want to tell those stories because they’re worthy.”
This year’s theme, “The Neighbors of Blackhawk Street: 1850-1920,” explores a diverse community building bonds from the pre-Civil War era through Jim Crow, and brings to life the remarkable community where formerly enslaved people, abolitionists, and White allies worked together to build churches, schools, and businesses.
“History is more interesting than fiction,” Hagenbach says, describing her organization’s approach to education through entertainment.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. with a jazz performance by Roger Wilder, Steve Rigazzi, and Michael Warren, followed by Baba Danny Diallo Hinds’ African drum call to order and a welcome from Weston Mayor Kim Kirby.
The main program runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., co-hosted by Princess Leah Becker-Ricketts and Vincent Bell. The centerpiece is “Feeling the GAP,” a multimedia presentation featuring storytelling, poetry, and historical interpretation by Hagenbach, Joyce Johnson, Phyllis Becker, Rebecca Ehrich, Joy Yolanda Johnson, Sally Gaskill, John “Br. John” Anderson, Gina Bardwell, Michelle Cook, Steve Harris, and Kara Wilson.
The jubilee takes place in Red Barn Farm’s climate-controlled barn — itself significant for being on land once worked by enslaved labor. Historical interpreters will portray real Blackhawk Street residents, including Hagenbach’s ancestor Mariah Vaughn and Union Major James Price, who built transitional housing for newly freed people.
Programming includes a playful trivia segment about collard greens, exploring their African origins and nutritional power.
“It’s educational in the best possible way,” says Rebecca Ehrich, BAAC steering committee member. “Plus, there’s food.”
The Weston Rotary Club serves a free barbecue lunch (while supplies last) following the program. Attendees can participate in a silent auction featuring unique experiences and enjoy the Pearl Family Farmer’s Market, and booths for both shopping and learning.
Local artisans will demonstrate period crafts like lace-making, while Civil War historical interpreters and Buffalo Soldiers operate displays throughout the event.
BAAC deliberately chose “jubilee” over traditional parade formats to spotlight local Black history through immersive presentations rather than generic celebrations.
“Before we start doing all the parades and stuff, we want people to know about the Black people that were in Weston, that helped build Weston,” Hagenbach said.
The family-friendly event welcomes all ages and is free to attend, though support through silent auction purchases helps BAAC offer year-round programming. For those interested in more local Black history, BAAC also created a 30-stop Black heritage walking tour throughout the town.
Juneteenth Heritage Jubilee
Saturday, June 14
Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
Program 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Red Barn Farm
16300 Wilkerson Road, Weston, MO
Free Admission
