The Fort Worth African American Museum and Cultural Center officially opened in the Polytechnic Heights neighborhood, launching with a joint exhibition developed in partnership with Kinfolk House and the National Juneteenth Museum. The facility, located in a building constructed in the early 1910s, transforms a former hardware store into a space dedicated to exploring the American narrative through a Black perspective.
Visitors enter an industrial loft-style gallery characterized by exposed ceiling beams, hardwood flooring, and warm lighting. The space is divided into three sections featuring works by Tatyana Alanis, Jeremy Biggers, Missy Burton, CHOKE, Jennifer Cowley, Charles Gray, Riley Holloway, Michael E. Johnson, Vanessa Meshack, Evita Tezeno, and Donnie Williams. The collection includes Gray’s painting "Kinfolk," which focuses on family connections, and Johnson’s "DAP," which portrays pop culture figures who influenced fashion and music.
Local construction firm Muckleroy & Falls and architect Michael Bennett spent nine months reconstructing and designing the museum. The property, which was originally divided into two suites, now serves as a venue for showcasing artistic contributions to the nation. Museum leader Barnett stated that the institution aims to share the contributions of different ethnic groups to the country’s development.
The exhibition is free and will remain on view through August 15. The museum operates from noon to 6 p.m. on Fridays and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. It will be closed on the Fourth of July.
