Sixth Floor Museum, Dallas
Posted On February 23, 2011
Who can forget the assassination of the President John F Kennedy in the downtown Dallas in November 1963, which was followed by the assassination of the accused Lee Harvey Oswald? The gunman had fired from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, which was only a warehouse at the Dealey Plaza. Today, both its sixth as well as the seventh floors are occupied by the fanatically audiovisual Sixth Floor Museum that narrates the entire tragedy in detail.
Inaugurated in 1989 on the Presidents Day, the museum has attracted over 6 million visitors from throughout the globe including all ages who are eager to know all about the assassination. Eyewitness photos as well as the genuine video and audio clips surely add a deep meaning to the overall tour. Not only this, but also the several twisted conspiracies are concisely shown.
On the first floor of the Texas School Book Depository building, the entrance holds a display of Dallas reflecting the early days. This is where the drawings as well as photographs of early shakers along with their written letters and journal entries of travelers show the city’s development. After passing through the security, you take a lift on the right for reaching up to the sixth or seventh floor of which the former houses the permanent exhibit, while the latter holds “Voices from History: Dallas Law Enforcement” since 2007.
On the Sixth Floor of the Sixth Floor Museum, the lift opens on the opposite side. Here, the presentation is in order beginning with the late 50s as well as early 60s, which reflect the time of John F. Kennedy, followed by his campaign exhibit including how critics as well as supporters spoke of him, and how the common man greeted him on his arrival. A major portion of the collection is dedicated to the assassination, police reports, artifacts, films, and photographs taken by the witnesses. Now, just stroll up to the windows that overlook the Elm Street to see the site marked with white X where Kennedy was shot. Even today, this view is impressive! At last, you encounter the exhibits of the funeral, the seizure of the gunman and his subsequent execution, and the evidence by the Warren Commission. This section will be most loved by the conspiracy theorists.
On the Seventh Floor, look for the ‘Filming Kennedy: Home Movies from Dallas’ – a temporary display of films of Kennedy, which were shot by lay filmmakers during the period of 1960 and 1963. It is worth a look as a few have never been showcased before. Once you are done with the sixth and seventh floors of the Sixth Floor Museum, catch the lift and come back to the first floor where a gift shop awaits you with its series of books and knickknacks. It is only from here that you exit the Sixth Floor Museum.
On my visit, I was lucky to get into an audio tour, although it is not required if you want to save $3.50. And that the displays are well detailed to speak even of the minute details of the things that occurred! This tour has last for 45 minutes during which you can rewind, pause, or fast forward the audio; which ensures that you do not miss information. After this, many 5 to 10 minute movies also line up; so, be ready to spend at least an hour to spot all.
Admission
Adult: $13.50 inclusive of audio guide
Senior (Ages 65+) and Youth (6 to 18): $12.50
Timings
Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
Monday: 12 pm to 6 pm
Cell Phone Walking Tour
You can learn much about this legendary area via your cell phone. At the Sixth Floor Museum, novel Cell Phone Walking Tour offers a map as well as a narrated guide for $2.50.
