2016 marks a golden milestone for both Dallas Heritage Village and preservation across the nation

Dallas Heritage Village and Preservation Dallas present “Fifty Years of Preservation: A Panel Discussion” with Evelyn Montgomery, curator of Dallas Heritage Village; Evan Thompson, executive director of Preservation Texas; and Beth Wiedower, National Trust for Historic Preservation, on Sunday, May 15, at 2 p.m., at Dallas Heritage Village, Browder Springs Hall, 1515 S. Harwood.  This is a free event, open to the public. The three panelists, moderated by David Preziosi, executive director of Preservation Dallas, will hold a conversation regarding 50 years of historic preservation at the local, state and national levels.  This event is part of a long roster of events planned for Preservation Month.

In 1966, Dallas Heritage Village was founded to preserve the Millermore home, a historic antebellum plantation home built between 1855 and 1862, which was saved from the wrecking ball by a newly formed group of citizens called the Dallas County Heritage Society. 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.

 Also in 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act was signed into law. This legislation intended to preserve historical and archaeological sites in the United States of America. The act created the National Register of Historic Places, the list of National Historic Landmarks, and the State Historic Preservation Offices. It is the most far-reaching preservation legislation ever enacted in the United States.

“This panel will talk about what was happening in historic preservation that led to these two events and explore where we are today as we continue to fight to preserve the past,” added Melissa Prycer, president and executive director, Dallas Heritage Village.  “We hope the community will take advantage of this unique opportunity to hear from such knowledgeable preservation experts all in one place and during such a meaningful anniversary year.”

Please RSVP by Friday, May 13, on the Dallas Heritage Village website’s event calendar RSVP form on May 15: https://www.dallasheritagevillage.org/event/fifty-years-of-preservation-a-panel-discussion/ or call Mandy Olsen at 214-413-3669.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

EVELYN MONTGOMERY, CURATOR, DALLAS HERITAGE VILLAGE

Originally from Connecticut, Montgomery came to North Texas at 17 to attend Texas Christian University, where she majored in interior design. She later got a master’s in architecture from University of Texas in Arlington and a Ph.D. in history from University of Texas Dallas. She began working at Dallas Heritage Village in 2001 as a tour guide, later becoming curator of collections and then director of collections, exhibits and preservation.  Montgomery oversees repair work of the Village’s historic structures as well as takes care of artifact collections, creates exhibits, and does public speaking on historical topics. In addition to speaking to local groups, she has presented four times at the Dallas History Conference and at state and national conferences. Active on her neighborhood association board of directors and vice president of the Dallas Homeowners League, Montgomery also serves on the Dallas Landmark Commission and is a volunteer with Preservation Dallas. Presently, she is writing and editing a collaborative book for Texas A&M University Press called “The Historic Villages of Texas” about the historic structures preserved in six village-style museums across the state, including Dallas Heritage Village.  

EVAN R. THOMPSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PRESERVATION TEXAS

Evan R. Thompson is the executive director of Preservation Texas, the statewide advocate for preserving the historic resources of Texas.  Prior to joining PT earlier this year, he served for four years as executive director of the Preservation Society of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina, and served for six years as executive director of Historic Beaufort Foundation, a National Historic Landmark town in South Carolina. He is a graduate of The University of Texas School of Law and the University of Richmond.  In 2011, he was the inaugural recipient of the National Trust for Historic Preservations’ American Express Aspire Award, recognizing an emerging national leader in the preservation field.

BETH WIEDOWER, SENIOR FIELD OFFICER AND DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSTON FIELD OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Beth Wiedower is a preservationist with experience in the fields of community revitalization, economic development, and cultural heritage conservation.  She currently serves as a senior field officer and director of the Houston Field Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  In this capacity, she is responsible for identifying and implementing the Trust’s National Treasures program in Texas and beyond, seeking nationally significant and highly threatened historic resources in need.  Prior to her work with the Trust in Texas, she directed the Rural Heritage Development Initiative of the National Trust in the Arkansas Delta.  Wiedower has been working in the field of historic preservation for almost 15 years, including completing her graduate studies in the discipline at the University of South Carolina.

In celebration of Dallas Heritage Village’s Golden Anniversary, the community is invited to History Quest –Everything’s Golden on Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 1515 S. Harwood Street.  Guests will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the city’s best-hidden treasure Dallas Heritage Village. This event is open to everyone but is a special day for Boy and Girl Scouts, providing fun ways to earn badges.

Hit pay dirt (1800s miners’ talk for finding something valuable) panning/sifting for gold nuggets in the valley and hunt for Confederate Coins on the historic grounds.  Throughout the day, help protect Main Street’s Citizen’s Bank vault bullion from the Desperados.  Texas’ 9^th Infantry will be on site during the day to help the kids apprehend the robbers.  In the depot, learn about travel and trains and how men crossed America in search of the golden dream, driving the last spike. When shopping with measures and weights in the general store, pay with gold dust and nuggets. Visit the farmstead to help spin golden ropes to tie into golden knots. Learn how to tie some specific knots to meet scouting badge requirements.

“Throughout this year, our guests will notice specific ties to our 50^th anniversary at all of our events,” added Melissa Prycer, president and executive director, Dallas Heritage Village. “We hope to see lots of kids and families joining the Gold Rush race around the oldest park in the city because all that glitters is gold during this year’s very special History Quest.”

Boy and Girl Scouts may receive a scout day patch which may be preordered for $3. Discount tickets ($5 each) available online through April 14.  Gate: $10/adult, $6/child (ages 4-12) and $8/senior, 65+, and under age 4 are free.  For more information call 214-421-5141, email info@dallasheritagevillage.org, or visit www.DallasHeritageVillage.org  

Have you ever experienced Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village?  If not, here's why you should make it a priority this year.  Now entering it's 44th year - Candlelight, sponsored by Baylor Scott & White Health, is a beautiful celebration of the holidays, offering something for everyone in your family.  Enter the gates of what is a regular stop for school children, families and individuals all year, on December 12 and 13 (3 p.m. -  9 p.m. both days), and step back into time to see how the holidays were celebrated in the late 1800s by some of Texas' earliest residents.  Follow the paths around the Village, lit by over 600 candles, and stop along the way to explore historic homes and structures decorated for the season.  This year's theme - a Picture Perfect Candlelight - will show you some wonderful spots to stop and take a photo and capture a special memory with family and friends this year.  Come explore how people of the past envisioned their holiday celebrations. Take a stroll and experience gleeful carolers, holiday storytelling, hand-weaving, blacksmithing, interpreters in traditional costume, and many other festive activities such as the popular American Flyer model train exhibit in the Depot, operated by the Lone Star Flyer Model Train Club.  Tell St. Nicholas your holiday wishes, ride in Nip and Tuck’s donkey-pulled carriage and enjoy entertainment and performances by local groups on three stages all evening. Festive foods are available for purchase from food trucks as well as a bake sale, traditional kettle korn, nuts and more.

"Every year we love seeing our guests enjoying the many scenic decorated areas of the Village and posing for pictures, the inspiration for this year's "Picture Perfect" theme," said Melissa Prycer, president and executive director, Dallas Heritage Village.  "At Candlelight, past and present images converge, honoring and creating new memories.  Candlelight is truly a magical event that has been a holiday tradition in Dallas for 44 years, and we welcome visitors from across the globe."

During Candlelight, pioneer and Victorian Texas is brought to life.  Guests may explore a variety of historic buildings, circa 1840 to 1910, traditionally decorated by area garden clubs.  Different family holiday traditions and activities are celebrated at Candlelight in each of the homes. At the 1860s Farmstead, see how early Dallas pioneers enjoyed a modest Christmas as the country approached the Civil War.  Listen to Cowboys tell tales around the bonfire, and stop by the Alamo saloon for a root beer and a game of dominoes.  Don’t forget to visit a special 19^th century guest, St. Nicholas, in the Depot and snap a photo with him. 

In Browder Springs Hall, kids may participate in hands-on holiday crafts. Create a bit of magic with a Thaumatrope or "wonder turner." These toys were popular in the 19th century and are simple devices that brought animated entertainment to adults and children alike until the development of modern cinema.  Choose a vintage illustration or draw your own for a picture perfect toy.  You may also create a Popsicle stick wooden picture frame to hold your Candlelight memories.  While you build a classic wooden frame with these sticks, learn the history of the popsicle.  In 1905, an 11-year-old boy left his soda outside on the porch with a stick in it and it froze. When he grew up he sold the first popsicle! See what it’s like to tint photos and practice tinting vintage photos to create a unique image. Since the very first days of primitive monochrome photography, people have attempted to add color by hand to enhance the image and create a more realistic picture.

Attendees may also ride around the Village in a surrey pulled by the Village’s loveable Mammoth Jack donkeys  Nip and Tuck ($5 per rider) or a hay wagon pulled by a vintage tractor ($3 per rider).  Local food trucks, such as Easy Slider, Rock & Roll Tacos, and Mad Grill will be on site along with Kettle Korn and Ty’s Tasty Treats, featuring roasted nuts & hot chocolate. The Dallas Heritage Village Guild will also be holding their annual sale of baked goods, jams, and jellies.

Local musicians, dancers and storytellers entertain at the Renner School (circa 1888), on the Main Street (circa 1900) stage, in the Pilot Grove Church (circa 1890), on porches of Victorian homes and along the candlelit pathways of the Village.  Entertainment groups include dance companies, musicians, bands, choirs, and many others.  For a complete list of performers and performance times, please visit www.DallasHeritageVillage.org.

All proceeds from Candlelight, the museum’s biggest annual public fundraiser, benefit museum programs at Dallas Heritage Village.  General admission to Candlelight (gate prices) is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 65+ and $8 for children ages 4-12. Children 3 and under and museum members are free. Tickets purchased online at www.DallasHeritageVillage.org by December 12 are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+ and $6 for children.  Visit http://www.dallasheritagevillage.org/candlelight for more details or call 214-421-5141. Self-parking at the Village is available for $5. Dallas Heritage Village is located at 1515 S. Harwood, Dallas, Texas 75215.

Candlelight corporate and family sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Preston Cooley at 214-413-3662, pcooley@dallasheritagevillage.org.   Various sponsorship levels are available with benefits as well as area and activity sponsorships.

Special Days during the Holiday Season

Decorated by local garden clubs and community groups, the Village’s historic structures will be open for touring during regular museum hours throughout December.  Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday, 12-4 p.m. (Closed on Monday).

With the exception of December 12 and 13, free parking is available at the Village throughout the season.

This is an event for everyone - families, friends, kids, individuals, and couples!  Come experience it.

Come to Dallas Heritage Village and help us search for the beginnings of baseball as we go into the soldiers’ camps during the Civil War. Meet soldiers with British roots or family ties to the American Indians; all with one thing in common, they love to play ball! Learn how different games brought to the battlefield blended together to help create America’s favorite past time: Baseball.

Learn about the history of baseball cards and bubble gum, of course! In 1952 the first cards had team logos and player autographs on the fronts and bios and stats on the backs. All the kids wanted the wax packs containing six cards and a slab of bubblegum for a nickel!

It’s all about the hat! The baseball cap was and still is one of the easiest ways to identify a team. Often the logo, mascot, or team's initial was placed on the cap along with the official team colors. Design your own team logo and cap style that represents you.

Who’s got the ball? Do you prefer a "live," "medium" or "dead" ball? Have you ever been "soaked?" Check out the latest ball fashion known as "lemon peel" and "rose petal." What would you do if you could not buy your sporting equipment at a store? You make it yourself, of course! Stop by the farmstead and see how balls of that time were made and sewn together.

Learn about the Peaches, Belles, Chicks and Daisies.  From 1943 to 1954, “America’s pastime” was a game played in skirts! How about a little friendly competition boys and girls? Boys and girls can take a swing and steal a base or two!

These are some of the things you can discover at Dallas Heritage Village's History Quest event "Let's Play Ball" on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., (activities from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Civil War Battle re-enactment at 2 p.m.), 1515 S. Harwood Street. 

Boy and Girl Scouts may receive a scout day patch which may be preordered for $3. Discount tickets ($5 each) available online through Nov. 6.  Gate: $10/adult, $6/child and $8/senior, 65+.

 “This is the first year we’ve done a combined Boy and Girl Scout day, and we have lots of fun activities planned,” added Prycer.  “Join us on Nov. 7 and learn the history of America’s favorite pastime!”  Visit dallasheritagevillage.org

Dallas Heritage Village’s annual Old Fashioned Fourth event was the backdrop for the Junior Historians’ ribbon cutting on Saturday, July 4, unveiling the young history buffs’ most recent project – curating the Renner School.   This year, the Village’s youth volunteer group researched what attending school would be like for children in 1910 and developed special exhibits for the Renner School, a one-room schoolhouse.  Sponsored by Joe M. and Doris R. Dealey Family Foundation, this project included the installation of new cabinets featuring historic artifacts selected by the Junior Historians, such as pictures, historic books, children’s clothing, paper dolls, maps, school books and more.  They also researched and wrote fictional student profiles and placed them at a selection of desks.  During the July 4^th event, the Historians took on the role of teachers, hosting spelling bees for guest participation as well as historic schoolyard games. 

“We are very proud of the Junior Historians’ project at the Renner School,” added Melissa Prycer, president and executive director, Dallas Heritage Village.  “Those who specifically worked on the project met nearly once a month for the past year to plan, and then they individually worked on specific pieces.  They impress me each year with their love of history, research, creativity and hard work.”

There are 30-40 Junior Historian members, ages 11-18, who volunteer throughout the year at the Village and select a special project or exhibit to curate each year.  The following Historians focused on the Renner School project: Elizabeth McPherson, 15, of Dallas (75206); Daniel Melson, 15, of Dallas (75248) and Richardson ISD; Adam Pennings, 15, of Palmer; sisters Lydia Radke, 12, and Sophia Radke, 16, both of Duncanville; and Sarah Rutherford, 14, of Dallas (75287) and Plano ISD.

“I enjoyed picking out the artifacts for the display case and writing some student profiles to go on desks,” said Lydia Radke, 12, who has been a Junior Historian for one year.  “These profiles are similar to short diary entries and give a glimpse into what school life was like then.  I researched the town of Renner, schoolhouses of the late 1800s, and the subjects the students studied.   Then I copied the various profiles I had written down on to slates that are now on desks in the schoolhouse.”

Sarah Rutherford, 14, wrote student profiles and participated in exhibit planning.  “I really liked doing the research and planning the exhibit,” she added.  “It’s hard to imagine growing up attending school in a one- or two-room schoolhouse!”

“Throughout the day during the Old Fashioned Fourth event, we held spelling bees for those who visited the school,” added Radke.  “Depending on how old our participants were we would make the words harder or easier.  I would like to be a teacher one day.”

Elizabeth McPherson, 15, who has been a Junior Historian since 2011, also helped with the spelling bees in the schoolhouse.

“It was great to see people enjoying the exhibit and to do an authentic schoolhouse activity for them,” added McPherson. “One excited little boy asked me if we had candy for the winner, and I just smiled and told him, ‘No, we only have books about Abraham Lincoln!’”

McPherson also enjoyed learning about school life in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

“Back then if you misbehaved the teacher would rap your hands with a ruler to teach a lesson or send you straight home.  Teachers could also make you wear a dunce cap, and I made one for the display case,” added McPherson.  “I think these artifacts will help guests learn what schoolhouses of the time were like for children.  I liked going through things and selecting items to showcase.”

Adam Pennings, 15, who became a Junior Historian last year, participated by writing some of the student profiles, selecting artifacts, and helping to design and install the exhibit.

“My student profile was about a young boy writing to his mother who had just moved to Chicago,” said Pennings. “He told her all about life at home, how he missed her, and how school was.  I really enjoyed deciding where to put the various things in the display case and installing the exhibit.  I have always liked the schoolhouse, and the new exhibit gives people the opportunity to learn more about the history of education in the Dallas area.   Kids can relate to the schoolhouse, and I definitely think the work we did has made this a more enjoyable and informative exhibit.”

Daniel Melson, 15, a Junior Historian for the past three years, enjoyed learning about slingshots and putting one together to showcase in the exhibit.

“It has been fun to be a part of history and this great group,” said Melson.  “What we did is now an exhibit that a lot of people will see every year.   As Junior Historians, we not only learn more about history, but we bring it to life for others.”

Guests may view the new exhibit any time during operating hours with general admission: $9 Adults, $7 Seniors (65+), $5 Children (4 to 12 years). Members of Dallas Heritage Village are admitted free of charge.

“It has been great to see my daughters Sophia and Lydia become involved at Dallas Heritage Village as Junior Historians,” said Leslie Radke.  “This program teaches them that they can help do something important even though they are kids.  Not only that, it helps them to develop their skills in speaking and having conversations with the public as they give tours or explain various artifacts.  It’s wonderful to watch them enjoy giving back and making a difference.”

“The Junior Historian program is much more than just a special program for teenagers who love history,” continued Adam Pennings.  “It’s also about learning to be responsible young adults, who can be trusted with history and its artifacts, and becoming a better person.”

For more information or to learn how to become a Junior Historian, call (214) 413-3669.  Visit www.dallasheritagevillage.org.