OKLAHOMA CITY —

A groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday marked the beginning of the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center, a 17,000-square-foot museum in Oklahoma City dedicated to preserving the city’s civil rights history and honoring the legacy of Clara Luper and the leaders who fought to end segregation.

“We would not be here on 24th and MLK if it had not been for the sit-inners,” said Marilyn Luper-Hildreth, Clara Luper’s daughter.

The center, approved by voters as part of the MAPS 4 sales tax initiative, will provide a space for future generations to learn about the movements that shaped Oklahoma City’s history.

“We stand on historic ground,” said Oklahoma City Councilman Camal Pennington, Ward 7.

WATCH: Oklahoma City unveils design concepts for Clara Luper Civil Rights Center

Mayor David Holt shared his vision for the center, saying, “I cannot wait to see generations of school kids come to this place, visitors come here and see that this is the kind of city that we wanna be, we want to tell these stories.”

The site is located just blocks away from the Freedom Center, the former headquarters of the NAACP Youth Council, which is undergoing a privately funded restoration.

City leaders believe the proximity of the two sites will offer a more in-depth understanding of Luper’s legacy and the civil rights movement.

WATCH: Oklahoma City immortalizes Clara Luper, Katz Drug Store Sit-In with statue and plaza

“In this building, we will honor and preserve a sacred legacy, and invest deeply in the future of our community,” Pennington said.

Luper-Hildreth reflected on her mother’s impact, saying, “When she died, it left a void in us. A void so deep I can’t explain it to you. Because she worked day and night trying to make OKC a better place.”

“We all got together and said we’re gonna tell our story. Because we’ve been taught if nobody’s gonna tell it, we gotta tell the story,” said Luper-Hildreth.

Pennington described the center as “the crown jewel of our community.”

“It is our testament to bringing freedom and equality not just to Oklahoma, but to the entire country,” Pennington said.

WATCH: Clara Luper’s daughter recalls what the Civil Rights activist was like as a mom

The $17 million project is expected to be completed in two years.

Luper-Hildreth emphasized the importance of the center’s mission, saying, “One thing that was important to Clara Luper was knowing your history. She felt if you knew your history, where you come from, you would know where you’re going.”