On Nov. 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as he rode through Dealey Plaza, also know as “The Front Door of Dallas.”
Since Presidents Day 1989, The Sixth Floor Museum has created a permanent exhibit to chronicle Kennedy’s life, death and legacy.
The museum is located in the former Texas School Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald took the fatal shots that killed the president. Evidence suggests the shots were fired from the sixth floor.
Inside, behind glass walls, a replica of the crime scene showcases how the boxes of books were stacked to create a rifle nest in front of the window the shot was taken from.
“Even though I’ve been here several times, that corner still gives me chills when I look at it,” 65-year-old Dallas resident Gene Harris said.
The rest of the sixth floor is filled with all-things-Kennedy, from his campaign trail and inauguration to some of the challenges he faced in office, such as the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Signage, pamphlets and circulars on the walls also show anti-Kennedy sentiment from Americans of the time.
“Not everybody was a Kennedy supporter,” said Ron Derrek, a 32-year-old accountant from North Carolina visiting Dallas on business. “Its cool that they show both sides and not just Kennedy supporters.”
The seventh floor of the museum houses temporary exhibits. Currently a 17-foot Texas School Book Depository sign is on display. The sign originally hung on the building in the ‘60s and has been in storage for more than 30 years, making this the first time it has been seen publicly since the late ‘70s.
The Sixth Floor Museum
Where: 411 Elm St.
Dallas
When: The Museum Store and Cafe are open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.
Liza Collins, public relations and the museum’s advertising manager, said it’s a great place for people of all ages to come and experience.
“The best thing about the museum is that this is where history took place,” she said.
Follow Jason on Twitter: @jbshorthorn
Gas it or Pass it
The Good:
History: A true account of ‘60s culture details the life of Kennedy from his political campaign to his death
Collection: The museum houses about 35,000 items, including several original items, including exhibits, documents, recordings and artifacts
Perspective: Being able to view the actual spot where Lee Harvey Oswald knelt down to take his shot at the president gives a tangible insight into history
The Bad:
Distance: Almost all of the information you were presented with is readily available on TV or the Internet without having to travel to downtown Dallas
Parking: Although the museum offers a parking lot adjacent to its building, there is a fee involved. Spots are not guaranteed
Audio tour: The free audio tour that guides you through the museum at times can be vague. It will simply tell you to turn a corner or look at a wall but not specify which corner or wall, making it difficult to navigate the collection
The Verdict:
Being able to see the exact spot where Lee Harvey Oswald took his fatal shot resulting in the death of John F. Kennedy is a one-of-a-kind experience. However, a lot of the content available, such as the conspiracy over the shooting and the facts about the day, are already in series produced by the History Channel and footage on the Discovery Channel. Unless you’re a history buff and want to see some of the original photographs, film and video footage in the museums repository, save your cash and your gas.
Upcoming Events at the museum
Meet the Museum
When: 11:30 a.m. Feb. 10
What: Using historic footage and photographs, the museum celebrates Presidents Day with a look at John F. Kennedy on the campaign trail in Texas from 1956-1960 and later visits.
The Vital South and Presidential Elections, 1960-2012
When: 7 p.m. Feb. 21
What: In this program, professors Earl Black and Merle Black, brothers and authors of several books on Southern politics, will discuss how Southern politics have changed since 1960 and the growing importance of the South in presidential elections and national politics.
Cost: Free but reservations are required.
Source: http://www.jfk.org/go/events
