AUSTIN, Texas - AussieJournal -- 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 Aussie Journal

• Northern Australia Contaminated Land and Groundwater Conference Returns to Darwin in May 2025
• Guests Can Save 15 Percent on a Florida Keys Vacation Home Rental with KeysCaribbean's 'Advance Purchase Discount'
• Elevate Local Launches to Help Tennessee Small Businesses Grow Online with Expert SEO and Digital Marketing
• Olga Torres Once Again Recognized as a Top Advisor by Foreign Investment Watch
• $300 Million in Milestones; Double-Digit Royalties; Neurospa LOI for Expansion of International Psychiatry Clinics plus NDA Filed with FDA on New Drug

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 Aussie Journal

• Spartan Investigations Partners with Dallas Law Enforcement to Combat Human Trafficking
• Torture in the Troubled Teen Industry, Death by Deliberate Indifference Report
• Unlock Huge Savings with Commercial Heat Pump Installation Rebates in 2025
• Climate Green Melbourne Offers Energy-Efficient Commercial Heat Pump Installations Across Victoria
• Cover and Protect: The #1 Choice for Bedding Protection Products

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.