Juanita J. Craft moved to Dallas in 1925. She joined the NAACP and became increasingly involved in its civil rights activities, establishing 182 branches. However, instead of wishing to be known as a fighter for Black rights, she insisted that her concern was always defending every American’s civil rights. She was the first Black woman in Dallas County to vote in a public election. She served two terms on the Dallas City Council. Mrs. Craft received the city’s highest civic award, the Linz Award, as well as being summoned to the White House three times to receive recognition awards. She fought for the rights for all.

Mrs. Craft’s home served as a focal point for an extensive array of civil rights activities. It often was ground zero for planning campaigns, writing speeches, launching initiatives and community organizing of desegregation movements of restaurants, movie theaters, public conveyances, and the State Fair of Texas. The house also served as a community center for NAACP Youth Councils, which she organized and advised. Children in the neighborhood came to be known as “Craft Kids” were educated and provided experiential opportunities by Mrs. Craft with hopes they would be inspired to help shape the future of the civil rights struggle.

The house museum will be interpreted to the community and the nation as a reflection of the Civil Rights Movement through education, advocacy, government and civil discourse. It will serve as a bridge between the past and present celebrating and honoring the legacy and visionary ideas of Mrs. Craft to create valued and sustainable results. There is no more important time for this history to be told than now.