On June 19, 1865, a transformative announcement echoed through Galveston, Texas, marking a pivotal moment in American history. On that day, it was announced that more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas were declared free, by executive order. However, this was over two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862.
Though this historic date, June 19, now known as ‘Juneteenth’, has become a federal holiday in America, it took the unwavering dedication of one woman, Opal Lee, to ensure the events of that day would always be remembered through the establishment of a national holiday. Often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," Lee spearheaded a movement to raise awareness about the day.
In 2016, at the age of 89, she walked from her home in Fort Worth to Washington, D.C. (roughly 1,400 miles or 2,253km), as a symbolic journey to advocate for Juneteenth to be recognized as a national holiday. Lee also walked 2.5 miles (4km) in cities all across the country to represent the 2.5 years it took for the Emancipation Proclamation to be enforced in Texas, declaring the freedom of African American enslaved people.
In 2019, she launched an online petition campaign for Juneteenth that garnered over 1.6 million signatures in support of holiday observance.
Then, finally, on June 17, 2021, the combined efforts of Lee and several activists helped push the passage of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which was signed by former President Joe Biden, officially recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
As we honor this integral piece of American history, a significant milestone is on the horizon: a museum dedicated to commemorating the holiday, the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. Set to open in 2026, this museum will serve as a central hub for preserving Juneteenth history and fostering discussions about freedom.
How did the Juneteenth museum come to be?
Opal Lee has been instrumental in the establishment of the National Juneteenth Museum since its inception. In 2005, an earlier version of the Juneteenth Museum operated in a house that Lee inherited from her late husband in Fort Worth. This location served as the first home of the museum, hosting various Juneteenth events.
Alongside Fort Worth residents and volunteer Don Williams, Lee spent years collecting artifacts that are integral to local Black history and the celebration of Juneteenth. This included artwork by local Black artist Manet Harrison Fowler, scrapbooks documenting Juneteenth celebrations, and memorabilia from the locally filmed movie Miss Juneteenth.
However, as the collection grew, the building began to deteriorate, and subsequently faced closure in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tragically, on Jan. 11, 2023, the building was destroyed by a fire, leading to its demolition to make way for the National Juneteenth Museum project.
The journey toward establishing the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, began in 2021, with design plans revealed in 2022. Now set to be revealed in 2026, the museum will be a central knowledge hub to deepen understanding of Black history and raise awareness of Juneteenth's impact on modern America.
Currently, Lee serves as a legacy member on the executive board for the National Juneteenth Museum. In an interview with the Forth Worth Report, Lee shared that “[The museum] means that people all over have come together to make the nation aware of our oneness.”
“It’s not just a Texas thing. It’s not just a Black thing. It’s for everyone,” she said.
The museum will be located in the historic Southside district on the corner of Rosedale Street and Evans Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas. This location holds rich African American heritage and was once a thriving area known as the Black Wall Street of the South.
What should we expect from the National Juneteenth Museum?
The museum plans to feature exhibition galleries, a Black Box space, a business incubator, a food hall, green spaces, and a 250-seat theater. It will also host year-round educational seminars and exhibits by renowned authorities on historical perspectives of freedom and the human experience.
Updated rendering of Auditorium open view for the National Juneteenth Museum.
Award-winning design firm Local Projects will bring immersive and interactive exhibitions to life that will showcase a captivating blend of multimedia installations and historical artifacts.
In selected galleries within the museum, visitors will have the opportunity to interact with voice-activated displays, multimedia presentations, and personal stories that highlight the journey toward emancipation and freedom, as well as its importance with American history.
Updated rendering of Gallery 2, at the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.
How can you get involved?
Donate Artifacts, Collections, and Archival Documents to the Museum
The National Juneteenth Museum has invited people to donate artifacts, collections, and archival documents that share engaging stories or highlight the history of emancipation and Juneteenth. Learn more about how to contribute here.
Volunteer at the Museum
If you are interested in volunteering at the National Juneteenth Museum, sign up for their newsletter to receive announcements about upcoming opportunities.
Juneteenth’s recognition marks a pivotal step toward acknowledging the full scope of American history. The National Juneteenth Museum will play an essential role — not just in preserving the past, but inspiring future generations to understand, confront, and dismantle the enduring legacies of slavery and racial injustice. Its impact will resonate far beyond its walls, shaping a more informed and equitable society for years to come.