Visitors are welcome to enjoy visiting Allensworth. (calparks.org)

Friends of Allensworth and California State Parks will be co-hosting a Black History Month Festival on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Col. Allensworth State Historic Park, 4011 Grant Dr., in 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.

Colonel Allen Allensworth escaped slavery during the Civil War and later became a chaplain for the U.S. Army. In 1908, the retired Lieutenant Colonel created a township 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.

Guests are invited to learn about Black history, enjoy tours, food, 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.

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

Vehicle fees range from $10 per car; $50 for buses with 24 or fewer passengers and $75 for buses with 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 an April festival; a Juneteenth celebration and an October Rededication festival – all are held on the second Saturday of the month.

To learn more, visit https://www.friendsofallensworth.org/.