Crews clear space for National Juneteenth Museum – FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth

Crews clear space for National Juneteenth Museum  FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth

To mark the 100th birthday of Opal Lee, the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," a demolition event is happening today in Fort Worth to make way for a new $70 million Juneteenth museum. On Opal Lee’s 100th birthday, crews are clearing space for a $70 million Juneteenth museum. FORT WORTH, Texas – Fort Worth is celebrating two major events today: Opal Lee’s 100th birthday and the start of site preparation for a new Juneteenth museum. The ceremony, set to begin at 9 a.m. today, will demolish the old community center that now stands at the site to make way for the $70 million Juneteenth Museum. The facility will be 50,000 square feet and will include galleries, a 250-seat theater, a business incubator, and a food hall featuring local chefs and vendors.

The Juneteenth museum initially expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2023, but its start date was pushed back several times. Opal Lee has had limited public appearances recently, but her granddaughter, Promise Roland, has previously said the civil rights icon will be in attendance for the demolition event. The services provided by the community center that is being demolished will be relocated to the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods in Fort Worth. To support the community, 40,000 pounds of food will be donated to Fort Worth food