Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. The museum is located in the former Texas School Book Depository building, where Lee Harvey Oswald shot John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, on November 22, 1963. This event led to a Warren Commission investigation, which was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the Assassination of John F. Kennedy. The museum's exhibits and collections are dedicated to the life and legacy of John F. Kennedy, as well as the events surrounding his assassination, including the role of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and CIA director Allen Dulles.

● History

The museum's history began with the Assassination of John F. Kennedy, which was witnessed by Jean Hill, Mary Moorman, and other bystanders, including Abraham Zapruder, who filmed the event. The Warren Commission was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the assassination, and its findings were published in the Warren Report. The museum was founded in 1989 by Linda Wilcox, Gerry Sanders, and other Dallas citizens, who were inspired by the work of Robert F. Kennedy and Ted Kennedy. The museum's early development was supported by Lady Bird Johnson, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and other prominent figures, including Nelson Rockefeller and Henry Kissinger.

● Exhibits

The museum's exhibits include a recreation of the Texas School Book Depository's sixth floor, where Lee Harvey Oswald shot John F. Kennedy. The exhibits also feature artifacts and personal items belonging to John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Robert F. Kennedy, as well as Lyndon B. Johnson and Hubert Humphrey. Visitors can see the Zapruder film, which was shot by Abraham Zapruder and shows the assassination, as well as other films and recordings, including those by Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. The exhibits also explore the role of the FBI, CIA, and Secret Service in the events surrounding the assassination, including the investigations led by J. Edgar Hoover and Allen Dulles.

● Collections

The museum's collections include over 40,000 items related to the life and legacy of John F. Kennedy and the events surrounding his assassination. The collections include artifacts, documents, and personal items belonging to John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and other prominent figures, including Robert F. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson. The museum also has an extensive collection of Oswald-related materials, including his Mannlicher-Carcano rifle and other personal items, as well as materials related to the Warren Commission and its investigation, including the Warren Report. The collections are used by researchers and scholars, including those from Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University.

● Location and Architecture

The museum is located in the former Texas School Book Depository building, which was designed by Lloyd Wright and built in 1901. The building was renovated and restored in the 1980s to create the museum, which was designed by Architects Dallas. The museum's location provides a unique perspective on the events surrounding the assassination, and visitors can see the Grassy Knoll, the Triple Underpass, and other landmarks, including the Dallas County Courthouse and the Reunion Tower. The museum is situated in the Dealey Plaza historic district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also home to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza and the Dallas Holocaust Museum.

● Impact and Reception

The museum has had a significant impact on the public's understanding of the Assassination of John F. Kennedy and its aftermath, including the Watergate scandal and the Iran-Contra affair. The museum has been praised by Historians, Scholars, and Journalists, including Doris Kearns Goodwin, Robert Dallek, and Bob Woodward, for its thorough and balanced approach to the subject. The museum has also been recognized for its educational programs, which are supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts. The museum has received awards and accolades, including the American Alliance of Museums' Museum of the Year award, and has been visited by prominent figures, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

● Governance and Management

The museum is governed by a Board of Trustees, which includes prominent Dallas citizens and National figures, such as Ross Perot and Kay Bailey Hutchison. The museum is managed by a professional staff, led by Nicole Nichols, who has previously worked at the Smithsonian Institution and the National Archives. The museum is supported by a variety of Foundations, Corporations, and Individuals, including the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The museum is also a member of the American Alliance of Museums and the International Council of Museums, and is accredited by the American Association of Museums. Category:Museums in Dallas, Texas