Dynamic DFW

Visitors to Dallas know that Dealey Plaza and Elm Street is the site where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. But in their casual exploration of this area, they may notice a red brick building whose elaborate design (including turrets and terra cotta wyverns ) contrast the utilitarian design of the surrounding properties. Built in 1892, the Old Red Courthouse looks like a storybook castle. This may account for its popularity as a wedding spot (what bride doesn’t want to feel like a princess?). But as cool as this building looks from the outside, the inside is definitely worth a visit for history buffs, Dallas tourists, or really anyone with a sense of curiosity. Pictured above is "Little Maggie", the frozen margarita machine invented in Dallas. The former courthouse is now home to the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture . The museum features highlights and low points of Dallas County history, dating from prehistory to modern day....

Since moving to Dallas in 2010, I have always had a bit of a fascination with the Inwood Theatre. From the vintage neon sign outside to the neat murals and etched glass inside, I suspected that there was more to the story of this little three-screen movie theatre. That’s why I was very excited to find the theatre’s history listed on its website, which you can access by clicking here . One of many fish etched into glass at the Inwood Theatre. The mural in the back is located on the right wall along the stairwell. Built in 1947 by the Interstate Amusement Company, the Inwood Theatre was designed with an aquatic theme that is still visible for visitors today. This theme includes a ceiling mural of naked nymphs, an aquatic mural along the stairway and glass etched with beautiful fish. According to their website, the glass has always been lit to create the effect of looking at an aquariums. The murals were painted by Dallas artist Perry Nichols, who also created the mural in f...

Left is the Peters Colony Land Grant Office and right is a replica log cabin at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. As you might have guessed from my previous posts, the only thing I like more than learning about history is learning about history for free. That is why I was so excited to find out that the Farmers Branch Historical Park offers visitors the chance to get a glimpse through time without spending a dime. Even better, the park provides several “hands on” opportunities for guests. “As you’ll see, there’s no Plexiglas and we offer one-on-one tours,” said Barbara Judkins, Museum Educator. “Our attitude is 'Come on in and get immersed in the history'.” The cornerstone of the Historical Park is the Gilbert House, which was built in 1856 and is the oldest structure still on its original foundation in Dallas County. The dogtrot style of the house means that the rooms branch off from a large central breezeway. Like so many historical homes, the Gilbert House ...

Love him or hate him, there is no denying that George W. Bush’s presidency occurred at the turning point of global history. From the Florida Recount to 9/11, from Hurricane Katrina to Operation Iraqi Freedom, the eight years George W. Bush served in office were turbulent, controversial and fascinating. The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum does an excellent job of taking visitors through his presidency without glossing over the controversial events. One area I was particularly impressed with was the Decisions Points Theater that simulates the decisions the 43 rd President had to face throughout his presidency. Visitors are provided with a computer that allows them to pick and choose what advice to listen to and then are forced to make a decision within a limited amount of time. Media tree where visitors can take a photo to pledge to volunteer in their communities. Another highlight was the media tree that allows visitors to take a photo of themselves in ...

I’m going to be completely upfront and say that I have a personal connection to the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance. I began volunteering there in 2012, and I currently assist with special events as well as work a monthly shift at the front desk. So let me tell you about why I am so passionate about this little museum. Many of our World War II Veterans and Holocaust Survivors are now in their 80’s and 90’s, and beginning to die out. As time has distanced us from the events that occurred during the Holocaust, it has become easier for Holocaust deniers and conspiracy theorists to spread their lies. Today, in many parts of the world, people believe that the Holocaust never happened or was exaggerated for some sort of political gain. For this reason, the preservation of history is more critical than ever before, and the Dallas Holocaust Museum offers visitors the chance to connect with the real stories of local survivors. Founded in 1984 by a group...

In my last post about Calvary Cemetery, I told the story of Father Jeffrey Aloysius Hartnett, the  first priest ordained in and for the Dallas Diocese, who died of smallpox after walking into a quarantined hospital to provide last rites for the sick and dying. Not being Catholic myself, I wanted to better understand why this ritual was so important that a priest would risk his life to administer last rites. To get some context, I spoke with Dr. Heidi Miller, Associate Professor of Christian Worship with Southern Methodist University’s (SMU’s) Perkins School of Theology. Although she was not familiar with the exact circumstances in Fr. Hartnett’s case, she was able to provide some clarity regarding the significance of last rites at the turn of the century. In the act of performing last rites (now known as the Anointing of the Sick), the priest’s role is to represent the authority of the Church and to stand in for Christ by extending the opportunity for absolution from sin ...

Near Freedman’s Cemetery Memorial there are a few other historical burial sites that the Uptown Dallas Public Improvement District has designated as part of the Uptown Trails Cemetery Tour. The nice thing about these cemeteries is that they include informational signs so that visitors who don’t opt for the Dallas Historical Society’s tour will still have some exposure to the history and famous residents of each graveyard. Today’s post will focus on Calvary Cemetery. According to a signpost at the entrance, the cemetery was established in 1878 following the land’s purchase by the Bishop of Galveston.  This was not the first Catholic cemetery in Dallas, and the oldest dated headstone remaining is for carpenter P.T. Clark, proprietor of the Railroad Planning Mill, who died on April 22, 1877, suggesting that the cemetery was in use prior to the acquisition by the church. The style of tombstones in Calvary Cemetery are diverse. Many of Calvary Cemetery’s graves b...

View of the entrance to the Museum of Biblical Art from the Boedeker Street side. If you ask average North Texans where to go locally to see great works of art by renowned Masters, they’ll probably point you to the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth or the Dallas Museum of Art in the Arts District. But there’s one more museum to add to the list and it’s in an unexpected location. The Museum of Biblical Art, located on Park Lane just behind NorthPark Center, appears closed from the street with one entrance blocked off and heavy wooden doors shut against the blistering Texas heat. I had been past the plain, sandy-looking building many times thinking it wasn’t open until I read the hours on the museum’s website . However, once inside the building, there is a much more welcoming vibe. The only photos allowed inside the museum are of the "Tapestry of the Centuries" mural by Vladimir Gorsky. I like to surprise myself when visiting new places, so I have to admit I ...