Where can you find under the same roof a mammoth tusk, a World War I-era gas mask, Clyde Barrow’s gun, Tom Landry’s fedora, and Lee Harvey Oswald’s handcuffs? No where else than inside the Old Red Museum of Dallas County . There are few better places to learn about the history of Dallas than this 1892 restored Old Red Courthouse, where you can find artifacts important not only to Dallas and the state of Texas, but materials connected to events of national and international significance.
Stay where you like, from hostels to the 5 star hotels Dallas offers it guests, and venture to the national historic landmark district where the museum is located near the JFK Memorial and Dealey Plaza and across from a replica of city founder John Neely Bryan’s cabin. Upon entering the museum, you’ll find a special exhibit gallery on the first floor; on the second floor, you’ll find the main exhibits, including 41 touch screen computers, a learning center, as well as four mini theaters.
The museum strives to inspire and teach its guests about the economic, political, and social history of the Dallas County Area, showcasing the several cultures needed to form the Dallas that exists today.
Divided into four sections, the galleries explore the history of the area, starting with pre-history to 1873. Dallas originated with John Neely Bryan, settling in late 1841 at a crossing of the Trinity River where Dealey Plaza stands today.
Next, you’ll explore the Trading Center Gallery, which continues the history from 1873 to World War I. Examples from this era include a high-wheeled bicycle and a World War I era gas mask. The arrival of two railroads turned Dallas into an important center for trade.
The next gallery, known as the “Big D”, after the nickname for the city, traces Dallas as it comes of age as a mature city. Here, you’ll find the infamous Clyde Barrow’s gun, a “flapper” wedding dress, a banjo used by blues musicians, and the first traffic light in Dallas County.
The final gallery explores the national tragedy of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and how the city and county developed afterwards, reinventing itself in the 21st Century. In the World Crossroads Gallery, you’ll discover legendary coach Tom Landry’s trademark fedora as well as the Stetson hat worn by actor Larry Hagman as he portrayed J.R. Ewing on Dallas, the nighttime soap opera that brought world-wide attention to the area.
Building tours are offered as well and only adds a dollar to the five dollar admission. The tours are recommended because they will explore areas of the building not open to the general public and will include a look at a restored courtroom from 1892. The hours are from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon, M-F. On Saturdays and Sundays, the museum is open an extra hour.
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