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21. Dallas Museum of Natural History
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Dallas
Museum of Natural History
Photo courtesy Clint Skinner, February 2016 |
| Located
on the southwestern corner of Leonhardt
Lagoon, the Dallas Museum of Natural History was designed in 1935
by Clyde Griesenbeck, Mark Lemmon, Frank D. Kean, and John B. Danna.
After the team of architects finished their task, workers began the
process of constructing the two-story building out of limestone. At
the cost of 200,000 dollars, the project came to a close in time for
the centennial celebration.
Its official goal was the promotion of the natural world through exhibits,
research, and educational program. |
Dallas
Museum of Natural History
Photo courtesy Clint Skinner, February 2016 |
 |
Placed
on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum had
45,000 square feet of space. The first floor contained four galleries
which display over fifty wildlife dioramas. Collectively, they showed
stuffed mammals, reptiles, and birds inside cases decorated with native
plants, trees, soil, and a backdrop to depict the environment of the
animals displayed. Some of the residents were alligators, bison, bears,
wolves, coyotes, turtles, roadrunners, eagles, and hawks. During its
latter years, a gallery showing various minerals and gems was added.
The museum also had a gift shop, an auditorium, and a library in this
level. The second floor focused solely on dinosaurs with a collection
of fossils and skeletons. Animamatronic statues of the prehistoric
reptiles were later added when the technology became more commonplace.
In the basement, there was a potpourri of small exhibits in addition
to science labs, workshops, storage units, and administration offices.
An outdoor amphitheater provided a venue for special events, though
it was rarely used.
Starting in 2011, a significant chunk of the museum's collection left
the building to become a part of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
When it opened the following year, the Dallas Museum of Natural History
became its secondary campus. Its main features included the dioramas,
the mineral gallery, and an exhibit about light. At the current time,
the building is closed for remodeling. |
References:
1.Bigtex.com
2.Dallashistory.org
3.Dallas Morning News Archives
4.Fairpark.org
5.Slate, John H. Historic Dallas Parks. Arcadia Publishing, 2010.
6.Tshaonline.org
7.Watermelon-kid.com
8.Wikipedia.org
8.Winters, Willis Cecil. Fair Park. Arcadia Publishing, 2010. |
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage or recent photos, please contact
us. |
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