Historic Black Neighborhood in Austin Celebrates Juneteenth
ncarol.com/10264601

AUSTIN, Texas - ncarol.com -- HISTORIC BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD IN AUSTIN CELEBRATES JUNETEENTH

AUSTIN'S MONTOPOLIS COMMUNITY COMMEMORATES ITS RICH HISTORY WITH CEMETERY AND SCHOOL TOURS, JUNETEENTH EVENT, AND LECTURE

AUSTIN, TX—In honor of Juneteenth, the Montopolis Community Development Corporation is hosting a tour of the Burditt Prairie Cemetery, the oldest African American cemetery in Austin, followed by a lecture by local historian and author Dr. Fred McGhee, and community celebration at the Montopolis Recreation Center. The old Montopolis  Negro School will be open to tour.

The Juneteenth Celebration will take place on Thursday June 19, 2023 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Montopolis Recreation Center located at 1200 Montopolis Drive.  There will be vendors, live music, performances, raffles, food, family-friendly activities, and more.

At 10 a.m. Dr. Fred McGhee will give a lecture about the historical importance of the Burditt's Prairie Freedmen's Community, and tours of the historic cemetery and the Montopolis Negro School will be available after the lecture.  All are welcome to join in this family friendly celebration.

More on ncarol.com

• Good Organics Now at Pop Up Grocer NYC With October 30 Sampling Event
• KeysCaribbean Announces Temporarily Reduced Rates At Village at Hawks Cay Villas
• Commercial Manufacturing Validation Completed as November 10 FDA Milestone Approaches; Critical FDA Milestone Close: NRx Pharmaceuticals NAS DAQ: NRXP
• Electives Launches "Electives for Everyone," Making Live Expert-Led Learning Available to Every Employee
• Tax Tops the List as Wealthy Brits Plan Their Exit, La Vida Survey Finds

These Juneteenth events in Montopolis are jointly sponsored by the Montopolis CDC, Montopolis Proud, the Montopolis Neighborhood Association, and the Burditt Prairie Preservation Association, with assistance by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation department.

The Montopolis neighborhood has a storied past. It was founded before the City of Austin was established. After Texas won its independence, Montopolis was considered as a possible location for the capital of the Republic of Texas. Burditt's Prairie, one of Austin's original Freedom Colonies established after the Civil War, is also located in Montopolis

"Montopolis is the most historic neighborhood in Austin that nobody knows about," says Dr.
Fred L. McGhee, an historical archaeologist and author of Austin's Montopolis Neighborhood.  "The history of this community is priceless," he continued. "With gentrification destroying the heritage of entire Austin neighborhoods, community based protection, preservation and perpetual care matter now more than ever."

"Building community through events such as this matters more now than ever," says Susana Almanza, president of the Montopolis Neighborhood Association.

Black History Lecture:

Black History:  A presentation on the Burditt's Prairie Freedmen's Community, including the Historic Burditt Prairie Cemetery and the Montopolis Negro School by Dr. Fred McGhee

More on ncarol.com

• KayeDinero Drops "CyberLeek" Amid GTA VI Headlines, Unveils Asheville "Barksdale" Visual
• "The Tree of Cinema" Installation Brought Film History and Its Audiences Together at TIFF 2026
• Household Staffing Named 2026 Agency of the Year by the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies
• Detroit Lawyer Steals $600,000 Settlement Meant to Protect Child
• Missing a Tooth? Chapel Hill's Everbright Dental Explains Implants, Bridges and Dentures

Location:  Montopolis Recreation Center, 1200 Montopolis Drive

Time:  June 19, 2023, 10:00 a.m. CST

Speakers:
Dr. Fred L. McGhee, Author of Austin's Montopolis Neighborhood and president of the Montopolis Community Development Corporation
Susana Almanza, President of the Montopolis Neighborhood Association

Media Availability: speakers will be available.  Interviews can also be conducted in Spanish (Almanza) or German (McGhee).

Media Contact:  Fred McGhee, (512) 275-6027, fmcghee@montopolis.org

Juneteenth Celebration:

Location:  Montopolis Recreation Center, 1200 Montopolis Drive
Time:  June 19, 2023, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST
Visuals:  Families will be enjoying food and entertainment. Alumni of the Montopolis Negro School, Games for kids and parents.

Media Contact:  Fred McGhee, (512) 275-6027, fmcghee@montopolis.org

ABOUT THE MONTOPOLIS CDC—The Montopolis Community Development Corporation is a 100% minority and disabled veteran led 501c(3) community based non-profit dedicated to revitalizing the Montopolis community the right way: via environmental protection, historic preservation, affordable and green housing development, and partnerships that put community first.

Learn more at www.montopolis.org.