Juneteenth Community Day: Honoring Opal Lee and Celebrating 100 Years

Join us for a joyful Juneteenth Community Day honoring the life, legacy, and enduring impact of Ms. Opal Lee—affectionately known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth”—as she celebrates her 100th birthday this year. This daylong celebration brings together generations through storytelling, food, music, and hands-on learning, centering community traditions and the ongoing meaning of freedom. Visitors of all ages are invited to gather, reflect, and celebrate Juneteenth through interactive programs inspired by Ms. Lee.

Program Highlights:

• NMAAHC Kids Juneteenth Story Time (11:00 AM-12:00 PM, Classroom, L2): Designed for children ages 3 to 8. Join us for a reading of Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth! by Tonya Abari, read by an engaging NMAAHC Kids educator! Then we’ll learn about the Grandmother of Juneteenth, Ms. Opal Lee, together and celebrate freedom with a colorful art project.
• Juneteenth Soundstage (11:00 AM & 3:00 PM, Heritage Hall, L1): Enjoy a lively lineup featuring a line dancing workshop and a Juneteenth Go-Go music performance, inviting visitors to move, groove, and celebrate together.
• The Juneteenth Cookout Playbook (12:00 PM, Family History Center, L2): Participate in an interactive workshop exploring how to plan a Juneteenth cookout, inspired by Ms. Lee’s favorite dishes, memories, and traditions.
• Juneteenth Art Making (12:00-3:00 PM, Classroom, L2): Designed for visitors of all ages. During Juneteenth, red is a color that symbolizes the struggle and resilience of our enslaved ancestors. For this special art project, visitors will use this bold color to make collages inspired by red art and objects in the Museum collection!
• Museum Shop Activation (All Day, Heritage Hall, L1): Explore a curated selection of Juneteenth-themed books and apparel available for purchase, including:
• • A Committee of One: How Faith + Action = A PurposeFULL Life by Opal Lee
  • First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth by Angélique Roché (Graphic Novel)
  • Juneteenth: A Children’s Story by Opal Lee, illustrated by Peter Viska
  • Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

Accessibility Information

To support full participation, we welcome attendees to share any accessibility or accommodation needs. Please email your request to NMAAHCPubPgms@si.edu as early as possible. While the Museum will attempt to honor all requests, we kindly ask for at least two weeks’ notice to ensure adequate preparation.