Dallas Historical Society

Dallas Historical Society
Name	Dallas Historical Society
Formation	1922
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	Dallas, Texas
Leader title	Executive Director
Region served	Dallas County

Dallas Historical Society The Dallas Historical Society is a nonprofit heritage organization based in Dallas, Texas dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of Dallas County, Texas, the State Fair of Texas, and the North Texas region. The Society engages with civic institutions such as the Dallas Public Library, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Texas at Dallas to support exhibitions, oral histories, and archival access. It collaborates with cultural partners including the Dallas Museum of Art, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, and local preservation groups.

History

Founded in 1922 by civic leaders and businessmen influenced by organizations like the American Historical Association, the institution matured during the interwar period alongside entities such as the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and the Dallas County Courthouse (Old Red). Postwar expansion paralleled projects by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and municipal initiatives tied to the Trinity River Project and the Dallas Civic Center. The Society’s archives grew through donations from families connected to the Cotton Bowl Classic, the Texas and Pacific Railway, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, and firms like Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. During the Civil Rights era, the Society documented events involving figures associated with NAACP activities, local leaders connected to the Dallas Police Department, and civic responses to national moments such as the Assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Collections and Archives

The Society maintains manuscript collections, photographs, maps, ephemera, and architectural plans relating to Dealey Plaza, Bishop Arts District, and commercial corridors like Main Street (Dallas). Holdings include corporate records from Texas Instruments, legal papers linked to the Dallas County Courthouse, and personal papers of families tied to Neiman Marcus, Ross Perot, and the Adams Express Company. Visual collections document performances at venues such as the Majestic Theatre (Dallas), sporting events like the Dallas Cowboys home games, and fairs at the Fair Park. The archives house oral histories featuring subjects connected to Annette Strauss, Tom Landry, Earle Cabell, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and community organizers from neighborhoods such as Oak Cliff and Deep Ellum. The Society’s map and architectural holdings include plans for projects by architects affiliated with the Dallas Historical Society. (Note: proper nouns only are linked as required.)

Museum and Public Programs

The Society curates rotating exhibitions that have partnered with institutions like the Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Museum of Asian Art, and the African American Museum of Dallas. Programs include lectures with scholars from Southern Methodist University, panel discussions featuring members of the Dallas Architecture Forum, and walking tours of districts such as West End Historic District and Highland Park (Texas). Special events have highlighted anniversaries of the State Fair of Texas, centennials related to Love Field (airport), and retrospectives on companies like ExxonMobil with community partners including the Dallas Convention Center.

Research and Educational Services

The Society supports researchers from universities including University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and Baylor University with access to primary sources about topics such as the Oil Boom in Texas, labor history tied to the International Longshoremen's Association, and urban redevelopment linked to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit. Educational outreach includes collaborations with the Dallas Independent School District, curriculum projects tied to the Texas State Board of Education, and internships for students from the University of North Texas and Paul Quinn College.

Governance and Funding

Governance rests with a board of directors composed of civic leaders from institutions like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, North Texas Municipal Water District, and legal firms with ties to the Dallas Bar Association. Funding streams include memberships, grants from foundations such as the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Ford Foundation, corporate sponsorships from entities like AT&T and philanthropy by families associated with The Meadows Foundation. The Society has received municipal support through programs administered by Dallas City Council and project grants involving the Texas Historical Commission.

Notable Projects and Exhibitions

Major projects have documented the transformation of the Trinity River, preservation efforts at Dealey Plaza Historic District, and exhibitions on the history of Neiman Marcus and the Dallas Cowboys. The Society has produced traveling exhibits deployed at venues such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the African American Museum of Dallas, and partnered on archival projects addressing the Assassination of John F. Kennedy with research libraries and independent scholars. Other exhibitions have focused on industrial histories linking Texas Instruments, the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and railroads like the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad.

Locations and Facilities

Facilities have included repository space near Old East Dallas, research rooms adjacent to the Dallas Public Library, and exhibition space in proximity to Fair Park. The Society’s preservation activities have engaged with municipal landmarks such as Dallas City Hall and neighborhood initiatives in Bishop Arts District, Deep Ellum, and Oak Cliff.

Category:Historical societies in Texas