Murfreesboro, TN - Streets around the Historic Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center were open only to pedestrian traffic for Murfreesboro's Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday (6/15/2024). Thousands packed the area and enjoyed the festivities as well as local history.  

It's not by accident that the local Juneteenth Celebration is centered around Bradley Academy. In 1917 work on that new school began and it was completed a year later. Vonchelle Stembridge, Facility Coordinator at Bradley, told WGNS News…

In the 1900s, African American students had to walk to school as they were not allowed to ride the buses that transported white students to other nearby schools. Stembridge told us the student to teacher ratio was also unreasonable…

The annual JuneTeenth Celebration spotlighted the area's local history through art, music and dance. In addition, tents lined the area and offered a variety of products to those in attendance.

Visit Bradley Academy

If you did not see the historic facility on Juneteenth, make it a point to visit the Historic Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center at 415 S. Academy St., Murfreesboro. 

The current structure was built in 1917 and opened as the new school for African American students in 1918. Today, Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center houses an original classroom and an Early Settlers for the City of Murfreesboro and the County of Rutherford exhibit.

Amenities and Rentals

These rooms are available for rent seven days a week:

• Auditorium/dining area - Maximum capacity of 100 people seated 
• Theatre for musical programs and plays - Maximum capacity of 35 people
• Boardroom - Maximum capacity of 30 people

Hours
Wednesday through Friday: 10 am to 6 pm
Saturday: 10am through 4 pm
Sunday through Tuesday CLOSED (Available for rentals)

Tours

Tours are available Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Adults: $5
Seniors and Students: $3
Youth 12 and under: $1

For more information, phone 615-962-8773

US Government Proclamation

Three-years ago Congress passed legislation that proclaims Juneteenth as a federal holiday. It is the anniversary of the last African American slaves being freed in Texas. On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed into law Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, S. 475, creating a federal holiday to commemorate Juneteenth. This is the first federal holiday approved since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. This, however was two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect January, 1863. This day, the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, has become a day for African Americans to celebrate not only their freedom, but their history, culture and achievements. CLICK HERE for more information about Juneteenth.