Freedmen’s Town Museums

08/05/2026

Freedmen’s Town Museums Houston of the Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum, Inc. was proud to celebrate a significant milestone for our community.

During this year's Juneteenth observance, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Leslie Briones presented a Juneteenth Resolution recognizing the Juneteenth Houston Committee and the Houston African American Cultural Heritage Commission, of which our own Debra Blacklock Sloan is a resolute member.

This meaningful recognition reflects Harris County's ongoing commitment to preserving Black history, honoring the legacy of Juneteenth, and celebrating the individuals and organizations working to safeguard our shared heritage.

Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin, Precinct 4 County Commissioner Leslie Briones, County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Sharon Fletcher (Executive Director of the Freedmen's Town Conservancy), and Precinct 2 County Commissioner Adrian Garcia are pictured here with Debra Blacklock Sloan.

We invite you to visit one of our six museums or learn more about the history of Freedmen's Town, our educational programs, and upcoming events by visiting www.FreedmenstownMuseums-Houston.org.

08/05/2026

08/02/2026

The Freedmen’s Town Museums Houston of the Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum, Inc. is honored to share a special reflection from historical researcher and genealogist Debra Blacklock Sloan on the enduring significance of Juneteenth.

Reflecting on June 19, 1865, Blacklock Sloan reminds us that Juneteenth represents the triumph of endurance, freedom, and hope for Black communities in Texas. She emphasizes that remembering this history is essential because it honors the extraordinary resilience of the ancestors who built Freedmen's Town.

For our community, commemorating Juneteenth is both a celebration of survival and a call to preserve the historic homes, landmarks, and iconic brick streets that tell the story of one of Houston's most significant historic communities.

We invite you to visit one of the six museums of Freedmen's Town Museums Houston of the Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum, Inc. to experience this living history, learn about our community's remarkable legacy, and support our mission to preserve it for future generations.

Learn more by visiting www.FreedmenstownMuseums-Houston.org.

08/01/2026

For 30 years, Freedmen's Town Museums Houston has preserved the stories, legacy, and history of one of Houston's most significant historic communities. Now, we invite you to celebrate this milestone with us.

Join Freedmen's Town Museums Houston of the Rutherford B.H. Yates Museum, Inc. for our Heritage Brunch & Celebration of Heroes—it will be an inspiring morning honoring others whose dedication has helped preserve the legacy of Freedmen's Town for future generations.

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
🕚 11:00 a.m.
📍 University of Houston Alumni Center – O'Quinn Great Hall
3204 Cullen Blvd., Houston, TX 77204

✨ Enjoy a meaningful celebration featuring community leaders, historical reflections, special recognitions, and an opportunity to invest in the future of one of Houston's most treasured historic communities.

🎟️ Reserve your seat today!
https://www.bit.ly/4ptRh9B

We are also welcoming:
⭐ Event Sponsors
📖 Commemorative & Business Ads
🛍️ Vendor Booths for local businesses and creators

Your support helps preserve our museums, expand educational programming, protect our Green Classrooms, and ensure that Freedmen's Town remains a premier cultural and heritage destination for generations to come.

Celebrate our history. Honor our heroes. Invest in our future.

07/31/2026

The long-awaited Juneteenth Houston Celebration began with incredible energy at Emancipation Park. Despite the summer heat and humidity, the day was filled with music, fellowship, tradition, and an inspiring sense of community.

One of the most memorable moments was the official unveiling of the new Juneteenth Flag, designed by contest winner Chris Robinson. The flag’s design tells a powerful story:

⭐ The two-and-a-half stars represent the two and a half years it took for the Emancipation Proclamation to be enforced in Texas.
🖤 The black field honors enslaved Black and African people.
❤️ The dark red symbolizes the bloodshed and sacrifices of our ancestors.
🤍 The cream represents hope, renewal, and new beginnings.

As we continue to honor the significance of Juneteenth and preserve the stories that shape our history, we invite you to visit one of the six museums of Freedmen’s Town Museums Houston of the Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum, Inc. We also invite you to attend all our programs and upcoming events.

Visit www.FreedmenstownMuseums-Houston.org.

07/29/2026

This past June, our very own historian, Debra Blacklock-Sloan, proudly joined the Juneteenth Houston Committee, the Juneteenth Queens, and The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park for the official Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony.

We are honored to stand alongside community leaders and preservation partners in commemorating the enduring legacy of emancipation and celebrating the rich history of Freedmen's Town and African American heritage in Houston.

At Freedmen’s Town Museums Houston of the Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum, Inc., we remain committed to preserving history, educating future generations, and keeping the spirit of freedom and community alive throughout the year.

Learn more about our programs, events, and mission by visiting one of our six museums and www.FreedmenstownMuseums-Houston.org.

07/25/2026

The Freedmen’s Town Museums Houston of the Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum, Inc. was honored to host our unforgettable Harmonies of Heritage event in collaboration with the Community Music Center of Houston, the Community Artists Collective, and the Alley Theatre. Our June 27 morning session was one of several dates in this special event series, which brought our community together to celebrate our shared history, culture, and enduring legacy while honoring Dr. Anne Lundy, Ms. Ruth C. Stewart, Dr. Gloria Harrison – Quinlan, and Ms. Ina Zellers.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us throughout the series. Your presence helped recreate meaningful connections and celebrate memorable experiences while honoring the rich heritage of Freedmen's Town.
Thank you for helping us preserve, celebrate, and share the stories that continue to shape our community.

Learn more about our programs, events, and the history of Freedmen's Town by visiting one of our six museums and www.FreedmenstownMuseums-Houston.org.

07/23/2026

Olee Yates McCullough, M.A., granddaughter of Rev. John Henry "Jack" Yates and daughter of Rutherford B. H. Yates, Sr., grew up in the beautiful family home at 1314 Andrews Street in Houston's historic Fourth Ward Freedmen's Town.

She fondly recalled her mother's elegant afternoon teas for her Eastern Star Sisters and remembered traveling by horse and carriage with her mother, who taught reading and writing to families on farms and ranches throughout the region.

A graduate of Spelman College, Bishop College, and Columbia University, where she earned her Master of Arts in Education in 1947, Olee devoted her life to education and the pursuit of social justice, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
Discover more stories that preserve the rich history and legacy of Freedmen's Town by visiting one of our six museums and www.FreedmenstownMuseums-Houston.org.

© Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum, Inc. (RBHY). All rights reserved.

07/21/2026

Join us as Freedmen's Town Museums Houston of the Rutherford B.H. Yates Museum, Inc. celebrates 30 years of restoration and preservation at our Heritage Brunch & Celebration of Heroes.

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
🕚 11:00 a.m.
📍 University of Houston Alumni Center – O'Quinn Great Hall
3204 Cullen Blvd., Houston, TX 77204

✨ This celebration will honor the history, resilience, and legacy of Freedmen's Town while recognizing our Heroes—individuals, organizations, and businesses who have made a lasting impact in our community.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now! This is an unforgettable celebration of history, inspiration, community, and celebration that you will not want to miss. Reserve your seat today! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/5zg8w26/lp/a9f41392-f7d6-4b52-92f9-76b9e6e003fe

We are also especially seeking:
⭐ Event Sponsors
📖 Commemorative and Business Ads
🛍️ Vendor Booths for local businesses and creators.

Your support helps preserve our historic museums, expands our educational programming, offers protection of our Green Classrooms, and ensures the preservation of Freedmen's Town as a premier cultural and heritage destination for Houston, Texas, and beyond.

🎉 Be part of history. Celebrate the past. Invest in the future.
Purchase your tickets today at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/5zg8w26/lp/a9f41392-f7d6-4b52-92f9-76b9e6e003fe and join us on September 26!

07/06/2026

On behalf of the Freedmen’s Town Museums of Houston of the Rutherford B.H. Yates Museum, Inc.; the Community Music Center of Houston; the Community Arts Collective; and the Legacy Awards Project 2026 Committee, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us this past month.

This June was truly historic, as it marked the official launch of our 30th-anniversary milestone for the Freedmen’s Town Museums of Houston!

We hope you enjoyed celebrating the lives and legacies of Dr. Ann Lundy, Ms. Ruth C. Stewart, Dr. Gloria Harrison-Quilian, and Ms. Ina Zellers. From the vibrant energy of the String Queens concert at the Eldorado Ballroom to the inspirational Harmonies of Heritage exhibition, documentary viewings, and historical reflections, it has been an unforgettable journey.

Thank you for assisting us in honoring Juneteenth, African American Music Appreciation Month, the 11th anniversary of the CMCH Legacy Awards, and the start of our 30th-anniversary celebration. We are so proud to share this history with you.

With respect,

The Board & Committees