Laura “Dolly” Johnson + the Juneteenth Foodways Festival

Laura "Dolly" Johnson + The Juneteenth Foodways Festival

Every June, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site welcomes the community to celebrate Juneteenth through food, music, storytelling, and community. At the heart of this festival is the story of Laura “Dolly” Johnson – a remarkable Black woman whose talent and legacy helped shape White House History.

Born into enslavement in Tennessee around 1857, Dolly Johnson became a nationally known figure during the presidency of Benjamin Harrison after the president hired her as head cook, replacing the French chef from the Cleveland Administration. Newspapers noted that Harrison preferred Dolly’s simple, bluegrass style of cooking to the complicated French menus of her predecessor, even calling her “an artist” in the kitchen. The first major meal Dolly made for the Harrison family was Christmas dinner in 1889, the menu for which was published in newspapers:

 

In 1891, Dolly returned to Lexington to care for her ailing daughter. Harrison was not the last president she would cook for – four presidents in total enjoyed her homestyle cooking. The story of Dolly Johnson represents more than culinary excellence. Her life reflects the resilience, ingenuity, and influence of Black Americans who played an integral role in the development of our nation’s culinary culture. At the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, we are honored to help share her story and celebrate the lasting impact of Black cuisine, entrepreneurship, and community traditions.

The Juneteenth Foodways Festival began in 2022 and has grown into one of Indianapolis’s signature Juneteenth celebrations. Held each year on the Friday before Juneteenth, the festival often serves as one of the city’s kickoff celebrations for the holiday. Over the past five years, the festival has welcomed more than 5,000 guests and partnered with over 50 Black-owned businesses, chefs, artisans, performers, and community organizations.

Today, the festival continues Dolly Johnson’s legacy by creating space for gathering, storytelling, and celebration through food. Guests experience live music, cooking demonstrations, family activities, and some of the city’s best Black-owned food businesses – all while learning more about the history and significance of Juneteenth.

In 2026, the festival expanded to include the Dolly Johnson Legacy Series, a new professional development and educational initiative designed to support entreprenures, creatives, and food business owners through workshops, networking opportunities, and community conversations. The series reflects the spirit of innovation and leadership that defined Dolly Johnson’s own life and career.

As we celebrate Juneteenth and look toward America’s 250th anniversary, the festival invites visitors to reflect on the many individuals whose stories shaped out nation. Dolly Johnson’s story reminds us that leadership, influence, and excellence take many forms, and that food has the power to bring people together.