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The Great Hall, located
on Old Red’s fourth floor, is a beautiful, grand space and a unique original feature. |
The Great Hall, located on Old Red’s fourth floor, is a beautiful, grand space and a unique original feature of the former Dallas County courthouse. The courthouse originally contained six working courtrooms: four were located on the second floor (and are the current home to the Old Red Museum’s permanent galleries), and two were located on the fourth floor (the current Restoration Hall and Hatton W. Sumners Restored Courtroom). On the west end of the fourth floor stood an open space, used for community gatherings, meetings, and a law library.
The hall included two fireplaces with ceramic tiling – even though the roof of Old Red had no chimneys. The fireplaces were later bricked over and covered when the hall was converted into courtrooms in the 1930s. During Old Red’s restoration in the 2000s, the fireplaces were beautifully restored. Though they are no longer in use, the fireplaces provide a distinct elegance to the Great Hall.
Today, the Great Hall is once again a gathering place for celebrations, weddings, business meetings, and other functions. For information on booking the Great Hall for an event, please contact our Sales Department at (214) 757-1945 or eventrentals@oldred.org. |
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The tradition of the wedding cake began during the Roman Empire and it has evolved in many delightful ways. It is said that the wedding cake custom began with a loaf of barley bread: the groom would break a piece off, eat and then break the remaining bread over the bride's head. The guests would gather the crumbles as charms of good luck. During the Middle Ages the family and friends of the bride and groom would each bring sticky buns and stack them with apple sauce in front of the couple. As the pile of cakes grew, the height represented how popular the couple was.
When the English started using tiered cakes, they were forced to use a very hard frosting to support the layers. Brides soon realized that they needed the strength of their husbands to be able to conquer the cake. This became the first task the couple would overcome as a married couple. Today, the couples will cut the cake and proceed to feed one another a slice to represent providing for one another.
As years have passed and cakes have become more extravagant, the symbolism still remains. Even so, the white "pure" symbolism in the frosting has evolved and couples now choose bright, personal colors and flavors.
The cake is now a piece of art and an integral part of any wedding.
Though the wedding cake is no longer sticky buns or a bakery loaf, cutting the cake is still a moment that loved ones and friends enjoy sharing with the newlyweds.
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Deck the Halls
at Old Red
Join Old Red for its third annual Deck the Halls exhibit and celebration featuring several Dallas County community non-profit organizations. Old Red’s first floor exhibits gallery will be Decked for the season with holiday trees decorated by each organization. Vote for your favorite tree by donating to the organization and join in the spirit of giving for the holiday season. If you are involved with a Dallas County non-profit organization and would like more information on how to get involved in this fun and unique opportunity, please contact Jessica Jernigan at (214) 757-1926 or jessicaj@oldred.org.
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Max Orlopp was the architect for the original 1892 Dallas County Courthouse. He was born in 1859 in New York City to German parents. Orlopp attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Spanish-American War before beginning his career as a civil engineer. In 1885, he became an architect, designing buildings and courthouses in Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, and Texas with his partner, Casper Kusener.
The firm of Orlopp and Kusener was hired to build the sixth Dallas County Courthouse to stand on the corner of Main and Houston Streets (the first five were destroyed by fire), and Orlopp began the project as the construction manager for Old Red. After some controversy with the builder involving a $100,000 deficit in the building’s original budget, Orlopp also became the construction manager for Old Red, and the building opened to the public in 1892. |
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| 19th Century architect Max Orlopp designed several courthouses in Texas as well as Arkansas, Missouri and Louisiana. He served as construction manager for Old Red until its opening to the public in 1892. |
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In 1977, the building known to locals as “Old Red”, the former Dallas County courthouse, was dedicated as a historic landmark by the State of Texas. The Dallas County Historical Commission, along with the Junior League of Dallas, submitted the application on behalf of the building that many perceived to be an eyesore.
The dedication ceremony followed months of planning, and included twelve speakers, a chorus, and a children’s production. The love Dallasites had for the grand structure was clearly displayed.
The painting above was commissioned by Mrs. Lindalyn Adams to commemorate the event. Visible in the painting is a hot air balloon, which is something of an artist’s interpretation – while the planning committee had intended for the balloon to fly high above Old Red, power lines and surrounding buildings prohibited the flight, and the balloon stayed grounded (as seen in the photo at right).
The day is fondly remembered by those who were there, and serves as a reminder of the
power of community to save its local heritage. The landmark status ensured that the building would be remembered as a building that meant, and still means a great deal to Dallas County. |
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The painting (top) of the dedication of Old Red is now on display in the Special Exhibits Gallery as part of Old Red: Through the Eyes of the Community. |
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Summer Education Programs at Old Red |
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Register Today! Our Children’s Summer Programs, “Toys & Games” and “Art and Architecture”, are being offered now. Learn what children did before video games and TV and make a Mr. Potato Head from real potatoes and clay. Create architecture rubbings of the Old Red Courthouse and make a colorful foam building to take home. To register, please contact our group sales department at groupsales@oldred.org or call 214-757-1949.
We regularly mail flyers and email the latest information on our educational programs. If you would like to be added to these lists, please email our group sales department at groupsales@oldred.org or call 214-757-1949. |
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The Old Red Museum Exhibition Catalog documents the wide variety of material found in our permanent exhibition with over one hundred photographs. Historic photos and examples of Old Red’s artifacts are supplemented with essays by local historians such as Thomas H. Smith and Michael V. Hazel, providing context for each of the Museum’s four permanent galleries and for the restoration of Old Red itself. Pick up a copy at our gift shop after your visit. A soft copy is $19.99 and hard copy is $34.99.
Treasures of Texas is a resource that guides you to some of the most inviting places in Texas. It depicts Texas’ rich history and abundant natural beauty. From the warm Gulf shores to the historic Alamo and from world-class Rodeos to Native American pow wows, the book has everything you need to know about Texas. Hard copy only $9.99.
Old Red T-Shirts You can purchase our 100% cotton t-shirts with Old Red’s distinctive logo tastefully displayed. These come in medium, large and extra-large in either red (with white logo) or white (with red/gray logo). These are a bargain at $11.99.
$2 Parking at Old Red If you happen to drive, don’t forget to purchase a parking voucher when you visit Old Red. This $2 voucher is a big savings off of the $9 County underground garage parking fee. This offer is only available with the purchase of a Museum admission at the Guest Services Desk. If you prefer to ride the DART train, we are located two blocks from West End or Union Stations.
Please visit our website for driving directions and additional parking information. |
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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 & 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 special exhibits 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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