Juneteenth Bell Joins Galveston Museum Effort
The Texas A&M University Department of Architecture has unveiled a newly cast Juneteenth Bell, created using the ancient lost-wax casting technique. Recently displayed on the fourth floor of the Langford Architecture Center, the bell is being relocated as part of ongoing efforts to commemorate Juneteenth and support the development of a Juneteenth Museum in Galveston, the birthplace of the holiday.
Juneteenth marks the day on June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston and announced the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This pivotal moment in American history continues to inspire community-led storytelling and public art that connects past injustices with present-day progress.
The fabrication of the Juneteenth Bell reflects this spirit of remembrance and resilience. Developed in partnership with Dallas-based artists Brad Oldham and Christy Coltrin of Brad Oldham Sculpture, the bell was cast using a meticulous lost-wax process, a method dating back to ancient Mesopotamia. A wax model of the bell is encased in clay, the wax is melted out and molten metal is poured into the mold, allowing for intricate, handcrafted detail in the final product.
The bell is one of a proposed series of custom, interactive installations designed to invite physical engagement and learning. As a symbol of awareness and awakening, the bell draws attention to the present moment while connecting visitors to the broader story of Juneteenth and its ongoing cultural relevance.
The installation aligns with the department’s vision for a distributed, open-air Juneteenth museum in Galveston. Rather than a traditional single building, the project imagines a network of historical sites and artistic landmarks across the city, amplifying voices and honoring the lived experiences that shaped Juneteenth’s legacy. The concept has been developed through collaborative design efforts between Texas A&M architecture students and community leaders in Galveston, including during a 2022 charrette focused on museum site planning and cultural storytelling (Galveston County Daily News, San Antonio Express-News).
Dr. Gregory Anthony Luhan, head of the Department of Architecture and director of the CRS Center, has played a leading role in guiding this initiative.
In March 2022, Texas A&M students participated in a collaborative design charrette exploring concepts for the proposed museum. Students from both Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M University proposed ideas for locations, including the Old Galveston Square Building, a field near Kermit Courville Stadium and the Central Cultural Center.
“This project is really about telling the whole story,” Luhan said. “Not just a series of points in the story.”
The department is also collaborating with Sam Collins III, a respected Galveston historian and co-chairman of the Juneteenth Legacy Project. Collins has worked extensively to preserve local history and promote Galveston as a global center for Juneteenth education and celebration. His work is featured in the Celebration of Freedom podcast, hosted by Cedric Shy of Texas Target Communities.
Previously on display at Langford, the bell has since been relocated by Luhan as part of ongoing efforts to expand the university’s public engagement. Its next destination is still being finalized, but it is expected to feature in broader plans to showcase Texas A&M’s design work and community partnerships in Galveston.
Whether as a temporary exhibit or permanent installation, the bell stands as a lasting symbol of historical awareness, public art and cultural storytelling — reflecting a continued collaboration between Texas A&M and the communities it serves.
