Museum History

Legend has it that on February 18, 1966, a fiercely determined group of women stood on the front porch of Dallas' largest remaining antebellum home, daring bulldozers to run over them rather than clear the property for a church parking lot. The constable arrived and issued a restraining order. Encouraged by their success, the women organized the Dallas County Heritage Society and relocated the home to Old City Park.

Old City Park was originally called City Park, and was Dallas's oldest city park. City Park once sported a swimming pool, a zoo and free roaming antelope.

Resident antelope in a circa 1900 postcard of City Park

During the next 30 years, the DCHS brought to the park from North Central Texas 37 more homes and buildings dating from 1840 to 1910 to create the city's only historical village.

Nestled among 13 beautifully wooded acres, the village includes Victorian-era homes, a depot, hotel, section house, shotgun house, school, church, log cabin, tipi, general store, gift shop, print shop, bank, law office, doctor's office, dentist's office, bandstand, a farmhouse, restaurant, and outbuildings of various kinds. Come stroll this charming place that sits serenely against the magnificent downtown skyline. 

Speak with the residents of the Kennedy farm about the opening
years of the Civil War at the 1860's Living Farmstead.  Take a ride in
our wagonette pulled by Nip and Tuck our rare Mammoth Jack Stock Donkeys.  And watch a blacksmith, potter, printer and log cabin cook demonstrate skills vital to the times.

While at the village, enjoy a plate of delicious home cooking at
Brent Place Restaurant, or picnic on the grounds. Before leaving,
be sure to visit McCall's Mercantile, the village gift shop on Main
Street, for a keepsake or two.