Event raised almost $100,000 to support learning opportunities for students and adults
Blue and white VW Beetles, a yellow Thunderbird, and a pink Cadillac flanked the entrance of Dallas Heritage Village’s History with a Twist, providing a perfect picture spot for the almost 400 guests decked out in rose-colored glasses, Sgt. Pepper jackets, flared and flowered pants, tie dye, headbands, beads, boots, peace signs, wigs, and Jackie Kennedy-appropriate attire.
“The skies cleared, and April 30 was a simply a beautiful evening,” said Melissa Prycer, president and executive director, Dallas Heritage Village. “The 60s music by Matt Tolentino and Friends and the Rhythm Room’s dance instructors set the stage for the guests arriving in some of the most amazing costumes. What a fun way for us to celebrate the year the Village first began with the saving and arrival of the Millermore home in 1966! Thank you to all our sponsors and attendees who helped us to raise nearly $100,000 to support learning opportunities for students as well as adults at the Village.”
Twist’s usual 1920’s theme jumped ahead 40 years to the 1960s in honor of the Village’s 50th anniversary. Presented by Sidley Austin, LLP, the 4th annual fundraiser was held on Main Street at Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 S. Harwood. Tables lined Main Street all the way to the vintage photo wagon set up to capture fun memories at the end of the street, and guests enjoyed Blue Mesa Catering and festive cocktails created by Brian McCullough of The Standard Pour. Honorary Chairs Marilyn and Ben Weber arrived in brightly colored Sgt. Pepper coats and Event Chair Don Baynham in an Air Force uniform ready to strike a pose for photos in front of the pink Cadillac.
“Our Honorary Chairs Marilyn and Ben Weber have a wonderful history with the Village and were a perfect fit for Twist this special year,” added Prycer. “Ben Weber’s mother Harriet Weber was one of the Village’s original founders.”
Attendees also included Allison and Harry Hunsicker, Adam Medrano, Jesse Moreno, Tracey and Trey Pugh, Kelly and Paul Dybala, Susan and Linc Eldredge, Suzann Farren, Angela Fontana, Andy Szuwalski, Kathleen and Bill Johnson, Kourtny and John Garrett, Kay and Louis Moore, Ann and Paul Phy, Ruchie and Atul Srivastava, Pat and Richard Trimble, Lynn Vogt, Sally Blanton and Don Petty, Shannon Sutlief and Ann Pinson.
In February 1966, The Millermore house, a historic antebellum plantation home built between 1855 and 1862 was saved from the wrecking ball by a newly formed group of citizens called the Dallas County Heritage Society, and this was the beginning of Dallas Heritage Village. Disassembled and reassembled on the grounds of Old City Park, Dallas’ oldest park established in 1876, the Millermore home was the first historic structure of Dallas Heritage Village and remains the museum’s focal point today. Set on 20 acres, Dallas Heritage Village has grown into an immersive history landscape including a Victorian Main Street, a railroad complex, a log cabin, a pre-Civil war home, an 1860’s farmstead with livestock, a 19th century church, and schoolhouse. Originally run by volunteers, the museum gradually gained a professional staff, became nationally accredited, and developed events and educational programming. Over 25,000 school children visit every year.
Sponsors include: $10,000: Sidley Austin; $6,500: Marilyn and Ben Weber; $6,000: Phoenix 1 Restoration; $5,000: Jolene Masur; $3,500 Sally and Forrest Hoglund.
“It was a fun night to benefit Dallas Heritage Village,” said Don Baynham, event chair. “We are very grateful for our Vogel Alcove neighbors who offered us a rain plan venue, but we were fortunate that the rains stopped, and we could twist the night away on the bricks of the Village’s historic Main Street.”