Opal Lee, known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, celebrated her 98th birthday Thursday night with the release of new renderings and a glimpse inside the soon-to-be-built National Juneteenth Museum.
Lee exuded enthusiasm and joy as the song Happy Birthday filled the air.
When asked about birthday celebrations, Lee said, “I’ve been doing something all week.” “I don’t know what it is, but I’m going to participate.”
Opal Lee attends event celebrating 98th birthday and updates on museum progress from National Juneteenth Museum CEO Jared Howard in Fort Worth on October 3, 2024 did. (Azul Sordo/Staff Photographer)
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As she took the microphone, she urged everyone in attendance to change their hearts and strive to promote love.
“We have a job to do… because it’s for all of us, each of us… because if you can be taught to hate, you can also be taught to love,” Lee said.
Lee remembers celebrating Juneteenth with picnics with her family, first in Marshall and then in Fort Worth. In 1939, when she was 12 years old, her family’s home in Fort Worth was destroyed by a white supremacist mob, forcing them to flee.
This experience influenced her path as an educator and activist.
In 2016, she made a symbolic journey from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., greatly increasing awareness of the importance of Juneteenth. This action earned her national recognition as the “Grandma of Juneteenth” and helped make Juneteenth a federal holiday.
The planned National Juneteenth Museum will include several key elements, said Jared Howard, the museum’s CEO.
The museum features 12 star-shaped holes and a gable roof line to complement the historical context of the area. Featuring a cozy front porch and dedicated LED screen for community promotions.
Inside there is a public courtyard and a theater that can accommodate 250 people.
National Juneteenth Museum CEO Jared Howard provided an update on the museum’s progress at an event celebrating Opal Lee’s 98th birthday in Fort Worth on October 3, 2024. (Azul Sordo / Staff Photographer)
The food hall will feature local food producers, and the exhibition gallery will tell the story of Juneteenth through a variety of themes, including the journey to freedom.
Inside the building, there will be a public courtyard accessible to all for community gatherings. Rather than telling the story of Juneteenth chronologically, the museum tells it through themes to help visitors understand its significance.
The digital wall allows visitors to connect with the story of emancipation not only in Texas but also in various states.
The museum will also highlight the pursuit of justice and the civil rights movement, emphasizing that liberation and freedom are not the same thing.
The National Juneteenth Museum is scheduled to open in Fort Worth in 2026 with the help of a $70 million fundraising goal.
“This museum will be a concrete example of how culturally engaging learning centers can change minds and change communities,” Howard said on the organization’s website.
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