Celebrate at Allensworth State Historic Park Founder’s Day Festival

Friends of Allensworth and California State Parks will be co-hosting a Founder’s Day Festival on Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Col. Allensworth State Historic Park, 4011 Grant Dr., near Earlimart, California. From Southern California, Allensworth is 12 miles west of Delano; and for those coming from the north, Allensworth is 10 miles west of central Earlimart.

Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth escaped slavery during the Civil War and later became a chaplain for the U.S. Army. In 1908, the retired Lt. Col. and his partner, William Payne, who were both born in the month of April, created a Negro township. 

Allensworth was where fellow Buffalo Soldiers and other African Americans could own property, learn, thrive, and live the “American Dream,” away from discrimination and racism. Allensworth was named a state historic park in 1974 and dedicated in October 1976. 

During the Founders Day Festival, guests are invited to learn about Black history, enjoy tours, food trucks, gift vendors, entertainment, kids’ activities, and horse and buggy rides through the historic town. Park staff will give free tours of some restored and reconstructed buildings and educators will speak on the settlement of Black townships. 

Known as “freedom colonies, or “all Black towns,” these municipalities across the U.S. were established by or for African Americans. Freed slaves populated many of these towns. In Texas alone, 357 such “freedom colonies” have been located and verified. 

Vehicle fees range from $10 per car; $50 for buses with a capacity of 24 or fewer passengers and $75 for buses with a capacity of 25 or more passengers. Bookings for groups of 15 or more on Amtrak San Joaquins are available. Make a request for group travel using the online group travel request form; or by calling 1-800-USA-1GRP (1-800-872-1477); or faxing a request to 1-800-872-3298; or by e-mail to groupsales@amtrak.com. 

The Friends of Allensworth hosts four events each year to preserve the town’s history and invite others to help their efforts through volunteering, donations, and board membership. The other three events include a February Black History Month festival; a Juneteenth celebration and an October Rededication festival – all are held on the second Saturday of the month.