BUILDING
HIGHLIGHTS
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Above, the courtroom as it was in 1892 is fully restored to its historic splendor. |
The Hatton W. Sumners Restored Courtroom
The Old Red Dallas County Courthouse originally contained six courtrooms. Today, the Hatton W. Sumners Restored Courtroom on the fourth floor of Old Red stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and detail of the 1892 courthouse. Fully restored, it contains an elaborate judge's bench, jury box and gallery seating. |
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| The turret rooms on the northeast and northwest corners represent the jury deliberation room and judge's chambers, respectively. Presently, the Courtroom is the only room in Old Red with a complete set of reproduced stained glass lunettes - the original windows were removed in 1967 as part of a renovation to modernize the building. To see the Restored Courtroom, visit Old Red at 2pm for a Building Tour (please call ahead for availability). |
FACILITY
RENTALS |
Old Red is a unique venue to host a variety of events and special occassions. |
Don't forget that we are taking reservations for your special occasions. Whether you're looking to celebrate a birthday, wedding, or anniversary, Old Red is the perfect setting for your special event. Affectionately known as "Old Red," this 1892 Romanesque courthouse served as the center of Dallas County life and government. Within its sandstone and granite walls, meetings were conducted, marriages performed and justice was served.
The grand architecture of the Old Red Courthouse is sure to make a great impression. From the moment your guests arrive they will take pleasure in this unique and historic building. Grand entryways made of marble and stone along with the soaring four-story staircase welcome your friends and family and is the perfect setting for taking that unique photograph.
The Great Hall features refined architectural amenities, including 20 foot ceilings, graceful arches, chandeliers and traditional Victorian color schemes making it the ideal setting for any occasion. This spacious area can accommodate up to two-hundred and eighty seated or five hundred standing with ample space for buffets. Just down the hall, there are two additional rooms for private events. The Hatton W. Sumners Courtroom is fully restored to its original 1892 elegance and can hold up to 120 guests for your event. For a more traditional event, we offer the uniquely beautiful Restoration Room with some of the 1800's architecture still exposed. Call us today to check availability and schedule your tour. The Facility Rentals department can be reached by calling 214-757-1945, or email us at facilityrentals@oldred.org.
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Dallas sites are captured in colorful paintings by local artist Dahlia Woods -- available at the Old Red gift shop. |
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Through the
Eyes of the
Community
June 4 - November 1, 2010
Local artists bring their visions of this majestic 19th-century building to Old Red's Special Exhibits Gallery to illustrate the history of Old Red. Views of Old Red, past and present, bring the story of the former Dallas County Courthouse to life. Don't miss the chance to add your work to this fascinating exhibit. Photos, paintings, drawings, and other artworks are welcome!
You can post to our Old Red Community Bulletin Board anytime during the exhibit, or bring by an artwork for inclusion in the main exhibit by May 15. |
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If you know an artist interested in exhibiting, let us know! E-mail history@oldred.org, or call
(214) 757-1926 for more information. |
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| Originally created as part of the Magnolia Petroleum Company exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair, this neon sign later graced the Mobil service station in the Casa Linda Shopping Center east of White Rock Lake. |
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With the discovery of new oilfields in Texas and surrounding states after World War I, Dallas emerged as a major financial and equipment center, symbolized by the Magnolia Petroleum Company's construction on Commerce Street of a 29-story office tower, the tallest building west of the Mississippi.
This tower included the original double Pegasus on its roof, which became known locally as the unofficial logo of the city of Dallas. Today, another Pegasus glows in Old Red's first floor lobby - this Pegasus was originally built for the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, but was later moved to the Casa Linda Mobil Oil Station, near White Rock Lake in Dallas.
The discovery of the East Texas field in 1930 transformed the city's economic base from cotton to oil. Dallas became headquarters to producers, wildcatters, drilling contractors, investors, and scouts. Local bankers were quick to fund their efforts by making loans and accepting oil reserves as collateral. By the end of the decade, nearly 20 percent of the people in Dallas County depended on the oil industry for their income. |
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JAMIESON FILM COMPANY |
The Jamieson Film Company was started in 1916 in Dallas by Hugh Jamieson, a Kansas native. Jamieson contributed technological innovations to film processing, and in 1942 became a member of the War Production Advisory Committee for industrial and advertising film producers and distributors.
The Jamieson Film Company was a prolific production company in Dallas, working on industrial films as well as television projects. The Jamieson Film |
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Company might be most remembered, however, for developing three copies of Abraham Zapruder's film of the Kennedy assassination in downtown Dallas.
In 1972, the Jamieson Film Company was absorbed into a Houston firm, but the legacy of Dallas filmmaking remains. For more information, visit Old Red's “Big D“ Gallery, or visit the Texas Archive of the Moving Image at http://www.texasarchive.org/library/index.php/Indian_ Mound_and_the_Pines for an example of a Jamieson Film. |
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Summer Education Programs at Old Red |
What do a potato and a wyvern have in common? Both are part of Old Red's summer education programs! Join us this summer for "Toys and Games" and "Art and Architecture" at Old Red! The Old Red Museum is offering hands-on, educational programs for summer schools, daycares, and day camps.
Toys and Games Program
What did kids do before video games and TV? Childhood favorites such as marbles, Toss Across, Old Maid, and hula hoops return as children learn about the different toys that entertained kids over the decades. Along with experiencing these games, each child will create their own Mr. Potato Head from real potatoes and clay body parts! |
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Art and Architecture Program
The Dallas skyline comes to life as kids test their building skills by making 3-D models of Dallas skyscrapers and create architecture rubbings of the Old Red Courthouse. Learning about architecture would not be complete without each child creating a colorful foam building to take home.
Know Before You Go:
• Reservations are required. To make a reservation, please contact our group
sales department at: 214-757-1949 or groupsales@oldred.org.
• Reservations must be secured by a $25 non-refundable payment which will be applied
to the total fee.
• Groups with fewer than 15 children will be charged a flat $75 fee for the program.
• Programs are offered Monday through Friday, between 10am and 2pm.
• Groups should allow 1.5 to 2 hours for their visit.
• The cost is $5 per child. Teachers, chaperones, and group leaders are free of charge. |
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OLD RED GUEST SERVICES |
The gift shop at Old Red has a collection of colorful paintings and note cards by local artist Dahlia Woods (at left). She paints scenes of Dallas, scenes from Texas and around the world. Our collection includes Dealey Plaza, Old Red Courthouse, BigTex at the State Fair and Moon Over Dallas.
Traditional & Original Songs for Children
Putting On the Old Folk's Clothes, is a collection of traditional and original songs for children and their families to enjoy, produced by Jenni Mansfield Peal ($15). Jenni performs at Old Red for school groups. If you would like to schedule a fun session for school children, please contact our Group Sales team at 214-757-1949.
Dallas icons
During your visit, stop by our Gift Shop to purchase a copy of Dallas Iconography, by photographer and author Barry Doyle. This unique compilation of photographs captures the city's diverse “character as well as the beauty found across this vibrant urban landscape“. Doyle provides a map to assist readers in locating each of the more than fifty sites, including Old Red. We still have a few autographed copies available for $19.99.
A Fair to Remember (DVD) is the only Texas film chosen for the 2009 State Department tour. It's a “roller coaster ride about the biggest, boldest and longest-running state fair in the country!“ It began in 1886. The State Fair of Texas “remains an iconic and timeless tradition“.
DVD price: $29.99 |
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Behold the People:
R.C. Hickman's Photographs of Black Dallas, 1949-1961
January 30 - April 25
Old Red: Through the Eyes of the Community:
June 4 - November 1
Deck the Halls
at Old Red:
November 20, 2010 - January 2, 2011
OLD RED MUSEUM
OF DALLAS COUNTY
HISTORY & CULTURE
100 S. Houston St
Dallas, TX 75202
Museum Info:
214-745-1100
The Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture is located in the West End of downtown Dallas in the beautifully restored Old Red Courthouse built in 1892. Dedicated to inspire and educate visitors about the rich and varied cultural, economic, political and social history of the Dallas County area, the second floor of Old Red is filled with exhibits, 41-touch screen computers, an educational learning center and four mini theaters. There is also a temporary exhibit gallery located on the first floor.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. David Biegler (chair)
Mrs. Lindalyn Adams
Mr. Raymond A. Basye, Jr.
Ms. Becky Bright
(non-voting)
Mr. James R. Erwin
Mr. Boone Powell
Dr. Charles Tandy
MUSEUM STAFF
April Chesshir
Event Manager
Raouf Drissi
Operations Director
Zac Harmon
Controller
Jessica Jernigan
Collections &
Exhibits Manager
Linda Murdock
Sales Director
Janene Pearson
Education & Program Director
Susan Wojs
Office Manager
FOUNDATION
MISSION
The mission of the Old Red Foundation is to create a lively center of Dallas County civic life within the historic Old Red Courthouse and to present the rich history of the Dallas County area in the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture.
MUSEUM MISSION
The mission of the Old Red Museum is to inspire and educate people with the rich cultural, economic, political and social history of the Dallas County area, showcasing the many cultures that together have formed the Dallas of today.
OLD RED
MEMBERSHIP
OLD RED STANDARD
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Individual $50
• Free annual admission
for one person
• Discounts on all programs, lectures, workshops, events & classes for one person
for a year
• Invitations to view special exhibits prior to the public opening for one person
for a year
• Quarterly e-newsletter
for a year
• 10% discount on Museum merchandise for a year
Dual/Couple $75
• All Benefits listed under “Individual“ category,
but for two people
Family $125
• All Benefits listed under “Individual“ category, but
for two adults and all children/grandchildren
in the same household.
Family Plus $150
• All benefits listed under “Individual“ category, but for up to four adults and all children/grandchildren in the same household
Student/Senior/Educator/
Volunteer $25
• Free admission
for one person
• Discounts on all programs, lectures, events & classes for one person
• Quarterly e-newsletter
OLD RED
HISTORY MAKER MEMBERSHIP
BENEFITS
History Maker Silver $250
• All benefits listed under the “Family“ category
(two adults plus all children/grandchildren in
the same household)
Plus the following:
• Invitation to History
Maker events
• Subscription to Legacies: A History Journal for Dallas and North Central Texas
• Quarterly e-newsletter
• 20% discount on Museum merchandise
History Maker Gold $500
• All benefits listed under the “History Maker Silver“ category but for up to
four adults and all children/grandchildren
in same household
History Maker
Platinum $1,000
• All benefits of “History
Maker Gold“ category
• “Behind the scenes“ personal tour of Old Red including Clock Tower
and Vault |
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