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

• Color Card Administrator Highlights Growing Enterprise Demand for Operational Infrastructure in Business Card Identity Governance
• American Properties Celebrates Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Heritage at South
• Crosswalk Ministries USA Announces 2026 Child and Family Well-Being Conference in Stockbridge, Georgia
• Research reveals "The Borderless Pay Standard," a 48-point gap between multinational employers and workers on transparent pay expectations
• Global.ai Appoints Freedomtech Solutions as Specialist Partner for Agentic AI

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

• ASCLD Honors Jeremy Triplett with 2026 Briggs J. White Award
• BarnOps Launches Equine Facility Management Software with GPS Staff Tracking and Weather Alerts
• Lansdowne Photographer Steven Weisz Selected for Philadelphia City Hall Exhibition
• Federal indictments bring new scrutiny to SPLC practices and highlight the real‑world impact of its designations on nonprofit groups, including NCFM
• Shedrack Anderson Releases New Album

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.