Brought to the New World by the Dutch, Pinkster became an important holiday for enslaved Africans, who celebrated with dance, music, storytelling, and games. Pinkster provided one of the few opportunities for enslaved men and women to travel to family members. It was a time of celebration, but the condition of enslavement was still the harsh reality of life.

Philipsburg Manor began celebrating Pinkster in 1977, making this event the longest-running recreation of Pinkster in North America.