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Frequently Asked Questions
General
Community Participation
Funding
Juneteenth’s Home is a national initiative that honors Galveston as the birthplace of Juneteenth and works to build a permanent home for its history, stories, and future. The initiative brings together residents, descendants, cultural organizations, multidisciplinary scholars, and partners to imagine what a national Juneteenth center could be — from programs and public spaces to the exploration of a landmark institution or cultural anchor.
Galveston is recognized by the State of Texas as the Official Juneteenth Capital of Texas. It is the site where General Order No. 3 was issued on June 19, 1865, announcing the end of slavery in Texas and marking the moment that would become Juneteenth. For generations, Galveston’s African American community has safeguarded this history. Juneteenth’s Home ensures that Galveston becomes the national center for Juneteenth storytelling, education, and cultural preservation.Rep. Terri Leo Wilson, of the Texas House of Representatives, noted: “Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth, making it the most fitting place for a museum dedicated to preserving the history and meaning of this celebration of freedom. I am proud to have led efforts to designate Galveston as the Juneteenth Capital of Texas, author legislation allowing the sale and use of fireworks during the Juneteenth holiday, and work to secure the $7 million appropriated in the Texas budget for a Galveston Juneteenth Museum, alongside federal efforts to make this vision possible. We have a responsibility to preserve this history and ensure future generations understand the significance of freedom and the events that made Juneteenth a national celebration.”
Juneteenth’s Home is facilitated by Galveston Historical Foundation’s African American Heritage Committee (AAHC) in collaboration with city leaders and state officials. For more than two decades, the AAHC has been a driving force in preserving and elevating Galveston’s African American history — protecting historic sites, developing exhibitions, securing state historical markers, and publishing foundational works on Galveston’s Black history. The committee brings deep stewardship, research expertise, and community leadership to this initiative.
Juneteenth’s Home is entering a year‑long master‑planning phase led by a nationally recognized team. This phase includes:Community and descendant engagementInterpretive and historical researchSite and physical planning analysisGovernance and operational modelingDevelopment of a Future State & Recommendations ReportCreation of a Final Master Plan
This process will shape a clear, community‑aligned vision for Juneteenth’s Home.
The Juneteenth’s Home master-planning process is being led by SmithGroup — in collaboration with Sources CRM and The Projects Group — a team bringing nationally recognized expertise in cultural planning and design, deep specialization in African American history and interpretive practice, and strong governance and project‑management leadership. Their integrated team has shaped nationally significant cultural projects including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Whitney Plantation, the National Slavery Museum at Lumpkin’s Slave Jail, Freedom House/1315 Duke Street, the Sweatt v. Painter Memorial, and the Fred Rouse Center for Arts and Community Healing. Together, and along with additional project consultants, the team is guiding a process that is community‑centered, historically grounded, and built for long‑term success.Bios for the master-planning team can be found under the “Team” section of the website.
The selection followed a formal, industry-standard process:Fall 2025: AAHC and civic partners initiated the project and issued a national RFQ.Winter 2026: Fifteen proposals were submitted and reviewed by a five‑member community committee (without GHF staff present). Spring 2026: Five firms advanced to a full RFP; two finalists were interviewed.SmithGroup and its partners were selected based on alignment with community‑centered goals, cultural expertise, and experience with African American history and sites of trauma and resilience.
Selection Committee members included: Alice Gatson, Tommie Boudreaux, Sharon Lewis, David O’Neal, and Stephen Holmes.
The master-planning process for Juneteenth's Home will span approximately one year and include seven phases (with community engagement throughout each process) culminating in:A Future State & Recommendations ReportA Final Master Plan
These documents will outline a clear, community‑aligned path forward for Juneteenth’s Home.
The master plan will explore a range of possibilities, including:A landmark cultural institution or museumPublic spaces and commemorative landscapesEducational programs and interpretive experiencesCommunity gathering spacesArchival, research, or storytelling centersAdditional ideas
The final vision will emerge from community input and the master‑planning process.SmithGroup Vice President and Design Director Dayton Schroeter, who serves as the master-planning design lead for Juneteenth's Home, said: “We are honored to support this effort in the birthplace of Juneteenth. Our role is to listen first. We do not arrive with preconceived concepts; we work alongside communities to understand their history, their priorities, and their aspirations. The vision for Juneteenth’s Home will emerge from Galveston’s residents and descendants, and we are committed to ensuring the plan reflects their leadership and lived experience.”
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