A Home for Our Story of Freedom

Honoring history while building a future rooted in truth and community.

Soon to rise in Fort Worth’s historic Southside, the National Juneteenth Museum will become a place where the story of freedom is held with care and offered back to the community with love.

It will grow from the same neighborhood where generations of Black families built lives, raised children, and carried forward the memory of Juneteenth long before the nation recognized it as a holiday. The museum’s future home honors that legacy by preparing a space where people will learn, reflect, and feel connected to a story that belongs to all of us.

The vision for the museum springs from the lifelong work of Opal Lee, the beloved “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” whose determination helped bring national recognition to the holiday. Her dream has never been just a building. It is a place where truth can be told without fear, where children can see themselves in stories of resilience, and where visitors can understand that freedom is not a moment but a journey. The museum will carry her spirit in every corner, reminding future generations that change often begins with one person who refuses to give up.

When its doors open, the museum’s exhibits will guide visitors gently between past and present. They will tell the story of the enslaved people in Texas who learned of their freedom in 1865—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. They will share the celebrations that followed, the struggles that continued, and the traditions that grew into the Juneteenth we know today. The museum will invite visitors to take their time, to breathe, and to sit with both the weight of history and the hope that rises from it.

The building itself has been designed with intention. Its architecture reflects African American heritage, Texas roots, and the idea of gathering—of coming together to learn, to celebrate, and to heal. Light will fill the space in a way that feels both grounding and uplifting, reminding everyone who enters that the story of Juneteenth is one of endurance and possibility.

What will make the National Juneteenth Museum especially powerful is its commitment to community. It is being created not only as a place to look back but as a place to build forward. Programs for youth, conversations for adults, and partnerships with local organizations will create a living connection between history and everyday life. The museum understands that freedom is strengthened when people have room to grow, to create, and to imagine a better future.

The National Juneteenth Museum is currently in development. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for October 7, 2026, a date that coincides with the 100th birthday of Opal Lee. This moment will mark the beginning of construction and a significant step toward realizing the museum’s vision.

The museum is expected to open its doors in 2029. Even as it is being built, the project carries forward the legacy of freedom and resilience that Opal Lee has championed throughout her life. The groundbreaking will symbolize hope, progress, and the enduring impact of one individual’s dedication to justice and recognition.