The National Juneteenth Museum will break ground in the coming months after years of delays. Before construction can begin, the Southside Community Center will be demolished, with the demolition slated to start on October 7 during a community celebration for Opal Lee’s 100th birthday.
Museum Details
The museum will be a 50,000-square-foot facility, featuring 10,000-square-foot galleries, a 250-seat theater, a business incubator, and a food hall with local chefs and vendors. Museum CEO Jarred Howard expressed his excitement about the project, stating that it will be a beautiful thing to see the vision become a reality.
The project has received financial support from the city of Fort Worth, with a pledge of $15 million, and $10 million from the state. Other funders include Meta, BNSF Railway, and Lilly Endowment Inc. The museum has raised $50 million so far, with a goal of $70 million.
Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth, will be in attendance for the demolition event, despite having limited public appearances in recent months due to her health. Her granddaughter, Promise Roland, accepted a recognition honoring Lee’s upcoming centennial on her behalf at the Fort Worth City Council meeting.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
