Dallas Arboretum

For my first official blog post, I thought I would focus on one of Dallas’ most well-known and most scenic landmarks. Located on Garland Road and bordering White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum is well known as a wedding venue because of its beautiful, spacious gardens. A really neat thing to note is that admission throughout August is $1.00 per person plus the cost of parking ($10.00), a healthy savings since normal admission is $15.00 for adults.

In A Woman's Garden, a view of White Rock Lake.
This garden was dedicated to Carrie Marcus Neiman
by Neiman Marcus upon its 90th Anniversary
on September 25, 1997

The Arboretum boasts stunning permanent exhibits and water features, along with trial gardens that serve as both an ever-changing display for tourists and a research facility where gardeners experiment with various plant types to create plant selections that can bear the drastic temperature changes of North Texas.

As a bit of a history and art nerd, my favorite place is the DeGolyer House (which features tours every half hour). The DeGolyer house exemplifies the extravagance of Oil Barons in the early half of the 20^th Century. Built in 1939 and completed in 1940, the architecture is patterned after Spanish Colonial Revival homes in Mexico with a veranda patterned after San Juan Capistrano Mission in California. The home was built as a retirement estate for Everett and Nell DeGolyer, where the pair could throw lavish parties.  It was one of the first homes in Dallas to feature central heat and air, which is a welcome relief to visitors during the blistering summer months. Almost all of the wood used throughout the home is Texas Oak.

A view of the DeGolyer Home from the driveway showing the Spanish Colonial Revivalism architecture.

The veranda designed after
San Juan Capistrano Mission

The DeGolyers were avid antique collectors, but in the truly American fashion they did not stay with any particular period or style. Throughout the home you will find pieces that are Spanish, Italian, Flemish, British, Mexican and a few others I’m sure I’m forgetting. The age of the pieces range from the 15^th Century to the 20^th. Between the diversity of the pieces, the design that clearly was intended for partying, and various photos of Everett and Nell with saucy half-smiles, I got the vibe that the pair had a wonderful sense of humor and very much enjoyed their time in their White Rock estate. I especially enjoyed the humor in the fact that guests arriving for parties were greeted by a 17^th Century chandelier that once hung in a Spanish parish church and a 15^th century baptismal font. “Leave your sins at the door so you can make a few new ones,” may not have been the intent of the décor, but I got a chuckle out of it.

While many of the original antiques now reside with the DeGolyer grandchildren, the Dallas Arboretum has done an excellent job of maintaining the showcase pieces that remain. I have already decided that when I make my millions, I would love to have Everett’s massive library (including two secret rooms!) and Nell’s department store of a closet. Seriously, I’ve seen boutiques smaller than her closet.

The Arboretum also serves as an outdoor concert venue in the fall, and offers various events and classes year round. Members receive discounted admission to special events and free general admission all year. Pricing information can be found by clicking here.

Dallas Arboretum

8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218

(214) 515-6500

http://www.dallasarboretum.org

Open Daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days.

Outside food and drink is allowed, so feel free to cuddle up with a date on a picnic blanket! Alternatively, there are two restaurants and a gift shop on the property.