DHS Logo

From the Interim Director


 

I'd like to make just a few quick notes this month about the activities going on here at the Hall of State. The Dallas Historical Society has partnered with the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau to add its "Dallas BIG Things Happen Here" campaign to the Hall of State in Fair Park. So come by, pose for a picture and post it to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and help us raise awareness of this magnificent Dallas landmark.


 

March 7th & 8th is Irish Fest here in the park. That Saturday we will have a public display of Civil War reenactors in front of the Hall of State from 10 am until 5 pm. Stop by and learn about the life of a soldier in the 1860's; then step inside the building to see our exhibits,

An Argument for Dallas: 100 Years of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas 1914-2014
and Texas in the Time of Revolution. 

We are also partnering with a number of organizations over Spring Break, March 9-13, to provide fun filled family activities along the Esplanade here in Fair Park. As always we will be open and free to the public so come on in and say "hello".
Historians for Social Justice
By Samantha Dodd

You may have seen a story circulating in the news recently about Oklahoma's lawmakers debating a bill that would stop the teaching of Advanced Placement courses in U.S. history. Their argument for the ban on these courses surrounds the belief that the classes focus too much on what is "bad about America" and fail to adequately address "American Exceptionalism."  The bill, which passed easily through a committee, outlines what should and shouldn't be taught in the classroom. This case brings up the issue of history's continuing relevance in our society and begs the question, "what is the role of the historian?" Objectivity is key to understanding history. A historian must remain objective when interpreting the past lest they risk imposing their own biases into it. 

John Fea, author of Why Study History? Reflecting on the Importance of the Past, believes we must understand "the past on its own terms" and treat it with "integrity rather than manipulating it or superimposing" our personal beliefs, values, and ideologies on to it. Acknowledging the nuances of our own past is fundamental to democracy.  Our past is filled with ups and downs, periods of turmoil and strife, small upsets and major clashes but also peace, order, growth and civility. Are we to turn a blind eye to the mistakes and missteps of our past? Or do we acknowledge them, examine them, and study them to understand where we are today?  

 

Flat Stanley Visits Dallas!               
This past month the Dallas Historical Society has played host to a very special guest: Flat Stanley. Stanley came to us all the way from Two Harbors, Minnesota. If you don't know already, Flat Stanley is the character in a 1964 Children's book by Jeff Brown.

 

We were so happy to have him here at the Dallas Historical Society and enjoyed giving him a tour around town. First up, we showed Stanley around our museum: The Hall of State. After touring the Great Hall we took Stanley downstairs into our archives and special collections. He enjoyed seeing our expansive collection of photographs, books, and artifacts of Dallas and Texas history. 

 

New Website!!

Be sure to stop  by  www.dallashistory.org and  check out our newly redesigned website full of information about our upcoming programs, tours, exhibits, and exciting opportunities for membership, and volunteering. 
 There is also some great information about the DHS' holdings, and how to conduct research using our collections. 
2015 Brown Bag Lecture Series 

Be sure to stop in at 12 PM (noon), the second Tuesday of the month at the Hall of State and explore a variety of different topics about local and state history. 

March 10th, 2015

75 Years of Vision:  The Lasting Gift of Southwestern Medical Foundation

Speaker:  Traci Beeson, Director of Marketing & Communications, Southwestern Medical Foundation


 

April 14th, 2015

Mid-Century Churches and Synagogues of Dallas

Speaker:  A. Robert Jaeger, President and Co-Founder of Partners for Sacred Places 

 

 

May 12th, 2015

An Argument for Dallas: 100 Years of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Speaker: Princeton Williams.

Check out the rest of the 2015 line up on our website: http://www.dallashistory.org/education/brown-bag-lectures/ 

 

Historic City Tours              

Spring is almost here which means it is time to kick off our 2015 Historic City Tours. Special thanks to Allie Beth Allman & Associates for sponsoring the 2015 Historic City Tours Series!!!

Historic Neighborhoods
with Rose Mary Rumbley

March 14th, 2015 (Saturday)


 
ENDANGERED DALLAs 
with David Preziosi

March 21st, 2015 (Saturday afternoon) 

 

NEW DEAL IN DALLAS with Sally Rodriguez 

April 11th, 2015 (Saturday)

 

 

To view the full schedule please visit: http://www.dallashistory.org/education/historic-city-tours/

 

For reservations, please call (214) 421-4500 x101 or order online HERE.

 

Are you following us on social media? 

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter. Get updates on new additions to the DHS' holdings, answer trivia questions, view some spectacular images from Dallas' past, and learn about exciting events. 

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter
Are you a member of the Dallas Historical Society yet?



Sign up today!

March is Women's History Month              

Women's History Month dates back to 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as "Women's History Week."  In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women's History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as "Women's History Month." (From the Law Library of Congress' guide to the legislative history of Women's History Month)

 

This month highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. The Dallas Historical Society's holdings include collections from such notable women as nineteenth century businesswoman Sarah Horton Cockrell, Margaret Scruggs Caruth, Ann Chase, Minnie Flanagan, and other collections such as the Dallas Shakespeare Club, the Mary K. Craig Class, and more!  Interested in learning more about these collections? Be sure to contact our collections department to schedule a research appointment. 

Rent the Hall of State!              

Located just minutes from downtown Dallas, the Hall of State can be rented for private functions ranging from corporate dinners or meetings to weddings or gala social events.

 

Imagine sipping cocktails in the impressive Hall of Heroes followed by a sumptuous dinner in the Great Hall, dancing under the stars in clear tents set up on the front lawn, a stockholders meeting in the Margaret and Al Hill Lecture Hall, or a product launch in the Texas Rooms. The possibilities are endless and the event support services offered by our responsive team of experts assure every event to be a fabulous success.

 

For more information about renting the Hall of State contact the DHS  at 214-421-4500 ext. 101 or email Nora Lenhart .

 

Spring Break in Fair Park~

SAVE THE DATE! Spring Break on the Fair Park Esplanade: Daily programming for the entire week! (Monday, March 9 - Friday, March 13)


 


      

HOURS ARE:
TUESDAY TO SATURDAY    10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
SUNDAY  1:00 P.M. TO 5:00 P.M.