Duane Jones, executive director of the Galveston Historical Foundation, told the City Council at its Oct. 23 workshop that the foundation has launched a six‑month effort to solicit qualifications and proposals for a master plan to advance a Juneteenth museum in Galveston.

Jones said the initiative is privately funded and stressed the current phase is planning only: the foundation is not buying property, selecting a site, or beginning construction. He described the work as a common step that will let the foundation and its project partners firm up a master plan and public engagement process before any site or construction decisions are made.

The foundation plans to hire a master‑planning team with expertise in African American museums and to run a year‑long planning effort after selecting that team. Jones said the foundation is working with an advisor experienced with African American museums and expects robust community participation during the formal master‑planning phase.

Council and staff noted recent state‑level support that helped revive the effort. Jones said state Representative Terri Leo‑Wilson filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 6 designating Galveston as the state’s capital of Juneteenth and helped secure Texas Historical Commission funding for the city. He also listed local philanthropic seed donors that have committed initial funds, naming the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, Moody Foundation, Kepner Fund, Ipolito Charitable Foundation and Sasser Family Foundation. Jones said the foundation also is partnering with federal and state officials to update National Register nominations for properties tied to the June 19, 1865 story in Galveston.

Council members praised the foundation’s work and asked staff to stay involved. Jones and council emphasized that the project remains at the planning stage and that the foundation will present the master plan and seek broader community input before any site selection or construction decisions.

The foundation said it expects the procurement of the master‑planning team to finish in early spring, followed by a planning process that could take about a year, depending on the team and community input. Ending: The foundation and council said they will return to council with updates as the master planning procurement proceeds and after the planning team is selected.