Latest news with #NationalJuneteenthMuseum
CBS News
20-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
National Juneteenth Museum moves closer to reality in Fort Worth
A long-awaited symbol of freedom and progress is one step closer to taking shape in Fort Worth's historic Southside. The National Juneteenth Museum, a project years in the making, is set to rise on the site of the Southside Community Center. The Fort Worth City Council approved the demolition of the building earlier this year, clearing the way for construction. Honoring Juneteenth's legacy "It's going to be a beacon of light," said Fort Worth City Council member Chris Nettles. "It's going to be fresh air." The museum will honor and celebrate Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday became federally recognized in 2021, thanks in large part to the efforts of Fort Worth's own Dr. Opal Lee, who spent decades raising awareness about its significance. "It means so much to Fort Worth because our very own was an icon to make sure that this is not just a Texas thing, but this is a national freedom for all people," Nettles said. "Because none of us are free until we all are free." The National Juneteenth Museum Photo courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group, KAI Enterprises and National Juneteenth Museum Catalyst for community growth Nettles believes the museum will not only preserve history but also spark new growth in the surrounding neighborhood. "It will bring so much traffic and growth and activity to an area that has, over some period, begun to die off or gotten old," he said. The city has committed $15 million to the project, and the Texas Legislature has pledged another $10 million. However, museum leaders say construction won't begin until all fundraising is complete. $70 million project in progress The total cost of the museum is estimated at $70 million. "My greatest hope is that families will be able to come together from all different cultures, to come to a location and understand history," Nettles said. "Schools will be able to come here — Fort Worth ISD, Crowley ISD, Keller ISD. They'll come to a location here in Fort Worth. It's going to be incredible." The National Juneteenth Museum is expected to become a landmark of cultural and historical significance, not just for North Texas but for the entire country. Freedom Vibes festival kicks off To celebrate Juneteenth, the museum is hosting a four-day festival called Freedom Vibes. The festivities begin Thursday evening and run through Sunday, with multiple events and activities planned throughout Fort Worth. Organizers hope the celebration will grow into the country's premier Juneteenth event.
CBS News
12-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Fort Worth City Council approves land for National Juneteenth Museum
By S.E. Jenkins February 11, 2025 / 10:23 PM CST / CBS Texas FORT WORTH — Tuesday night the Fort Worth City Council approved the demolition of a community center to build the National Juneteenth Museum in its place, marking a major milestone in the museum's development. The museum will replace the Southside Community Center on New York and Rosedale streets in the Historic Southside neighborhood. Bjarke Ingels Group and KAI Enterprises New renderings offer a glimpse into what's to come. Museum officials hope to have the grand opening of the museum in 2026, when Opal Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth, turns 100 years old. The developers said when it opens, the museum will bring jobs and tourism to the community, and serve as a portal to our past. Historic Southside neighborhood The Historic Southside was once a bustling center of black life culture and commerce in the city in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The neighborhood fell into decline in the 60s when it was divided by the creation of I-35. But soon the Historic Southside will be the home of the National Juneteenth Museum. The team working to make the museum a reality previously told CBS News Texas that it's fitting the museum will be placed there. "This is going to be a catalytic project that's going to allow us to reinvigorate what once was and to see the glory of the Historic Southside again," Jarred Howard, the CEO and lead developer of the National Juneteenth Museum, previously said. In: Juneteenth Black History Month North Texas Fort Worth S.E. Jenkins S.E. Jenkins is a digital content producer for CBS Texas. She has also been a Digital Content Producer in Tallahassee and Myrtle Beach. S.E. graduated with journalism degrees from Texas State University, Aarhus Universitet and City, University of London.
