From Explore West Plains:
The historic Lincoln School in West Plains is marking its 100th anniversary in 2026 with a three-day Juneteenth and Centennial Celebration, June 19–21, honoring African American history in the Ozarks.
Built in 1926 as a one-room segregation-era school for Black students, Lincoln School has been restored into a cultural and educational center and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2025.
Friday, June 19 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) – Celebrate on the historic school grounds,1400 E. Pony Thomas St., with food trucks, live music, a classic car display, and historical presentations at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs.
Saturday, June 20 (11 a.m.–2 p.m.) – Head downtown for “Music By the Murals,” Luster Arcade, featuring live performances and music from DJ T-Nyce. (A separate evening gala event is sold out.)
Sunday, June 21 (8 a.m.) – The weekend concludes with a memorial service at historic Sadie Brown Cemetery honoring regional African American figures. Bring lawn chairs for limited seating.A special highlight of the weekend will be the attendance of three surviving Lincoln School alumni, offering a living connection to this important piece of local history.
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