Join us at the Levi Jordan Plantation State Historic Site for a commemoration of Juneteenth and the reading of General Order No. 3, which ordered the emancipation of all of the enslaved people in Texas. Federal troops, including the United States Colored Troops, entered Texas in June of 1865 and announced the freedom of the enslaved people in Texas.
Program begins at 10 am with a reading of General Order No. 3 at 11 am and 2 pm from Allen Mack, a living history interpreter from the United States Colored Troops. The 2 pm reading will be followed by an interview with Allen Mack. There will be demonstrations throughout the day from 10 am to 4 pm.
This program will be led by site staff and Allen Mack (Pvt. Mack), the founder of the Living History Foundation. Allen Mack (Pvt. Mack) has always carried a deep appreciation for history, though it was later in life that he fully recognized just how powerful that passion truly was. His journey unfolded gradually, but it found clear direction when he began volunteering with Texas Parks & Wildlife’s Buffalo Soldiers Heritage & Outreach Program. What started as service quickly became a calling. After three fulfilling years as a volunteer, he was offered a full-time position with the department an opportunity that felt like the realization of a lifelong dream.
For Pvt. Mack, the work has never been just a job. It is a platform to educate, inspire, and connect using history to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of this nation while bringing understanding, pride, and joy to people of all ages.
After seven years with Texas Parks & Wildlife, Pvt. Mack stepped away to serve his community through the Living History Foundation (LHF), a nonprofit he helped build with a clear and powerful vision. Through LHF, he focused on mentoring emerging interpreters and educators, teaching them how to research and share the often-overlooked stories of people of color, women, individuals with disabilities, and other marginalized communities. At the heart of this mission was a deeply held belief: no child should ever grow up wishing they were someone else simply because they were never taught who they truly are.
After four years away, Pvt. Mack has returned to Texas Parks & Wildlife, bringing with him expanded perspective, renewed purpose, and an even deeper commitment to inclusive storytelling. At the same time, he continues to build and support the Living History Foundation, working tirelessly to ensure that history is not only preserved, but shared in a way that empowers, uplifts, and inspires future generations.
This event is presented as part of Texas America250, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.