Old City Park

Happening at Old City Park today and tomorrow.

Dear Friends of Old City Park/Dallas County Heritage Society:

Since 1967, Dallas County Heritage Society (DCHS) has managed and operated Old City Park as a living history museum dedicated to sharing the stories of the individuals and families that lived in Dallas in its early years. Thanks to our incredible team of board members, staff, and volunteers, we purchased, relocated, and restored an extraordinary collection of historic buildings and structures to create a unique living history museum in our community’s oldest public park. Using these buildings and the items we collected and purchased to furnish and decorate every historic structure at Old City Park, we helped connect area residents and out of town guests with life in Dallas between 1840-1910. We are beyond grateful for the five decades that you have brought your families to the park, visited us on field trips, listened to our stories, interacted with our staff and volunteers, sat among the historic trees, and enjoyed our events. But yesterday, our time as manager of Old City Park officially came to an end.

Effective today (May 27th), the Dallas Park and Recreation Department has assumed full responsibility for the management and operation of Old City Park. Preparing for this transition has taken many months of planning and hard work by our staff and board. Thank you to all of you who helped us prepare for this weekend’s hand-off to the Park Department. Admittedly, it was an emotionally, mentally, and physically draining process, particularly for all of our employees who knew that yesterday was their last day of employment at Old City Park. Deepest thanks go to all of our employees who stayed with us through our last day.

Despite what has been reported in the media, we did not leave the buildings empty of furnishings and artifacts. In fact, the DCHS board and staff worked collaboratively with the Park Department’s staff to ensure that many of the buildings remain furnished and equipped so that history programming can continue, if they so choose. Specifically, the Gano Farmstead, Pilot Grove Church, Renner Schoolhouse, Alamo Saloon, Citizens Bank, Miller Cabin, and Train Depot remain fully furnished and ready for school tours, history tours, and educational interpretation by the Park Department team that will manage Old City Park going forward.

Many of you have asked, “Why did this happen?” The simple answer is that DCHS’s management agreement with the City of Dallas officially expired last year on May 26, 2023. It was extended for one additional year but the City informed us that it could not be extended again without going through a public bid process known as a “request for proposals” or “RFP” for short. Before the City conducts this RFP, the Park Department will direct a full master planning process to determine how Old City Park will operate and be managed in the future. After this master plan is complete, the Park Department will oversee the RFP process to secure a new manager for the park. During this interim period, expected to last 18-36 months, the Park Department will manage Old City Park.

Because management of Old City Park is now the responsibility of the Park Department, the DCHS Board of Trustees recognized that we could no longer do business as Old City Park. While the Board considered closing the organization, there was great shared concern that taking this action would leave Old City Park without an organized group of advocates or supporters. In addition, DCHS still has financial resources available to invest in the Park, including restricted funds for the renovation of the Blum House. The proceeds from the estate sale added to these funds. Thus, after much consideration, our Board voted to change our assumed name from Old City Park to Old City Park Conservancy. While Dallas County Heritage Society will continue to be the legal name of our organization, we will do business as Old City Park Conservancy and will use oldcityparkconservancy.org as our new website address. We are currently putting the finishing touches on our new website and will launch it next week. Our social media pages will be transitioned to Old City Park Conservancy, too.

In addition, our Board adopted the following updated mission statement: The mission of Old City Park Conservancy is to advocate for and provide support to Old City Park so that visitors can connect with the past, inspire the future, and celebrate Dallas's rich diversity in Dallas's first and oldest public park. This new mission statement makes it clear that our commitment to Old City Park remains as strong as ever, albeit as a volunteer driven organization for the foreseeable future.

As we continue to navigate the changes to not only our organization but also to the park itself, we cannot help but reflect on the countless volunteers, board members, staff members, and financial backers who helped create such an extraordinary cultural asset for Dallas. There is truly no place in Dallas like Old City Park and we remain hopeful that the City will choose to maintain much of what we built. To all of our current and former board and staff members, volunteers, and donors, please accept our deepest thanks for your dedication, support, and abiding commitment to Old City Park.

For over 50 years, Dallas County Heritage Society has been steadfast in its mission to safeguard and showcase the historical significance of Old City Park. Today, with the launch of our new identity as Old City Park Conservancy, we are proud to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to advancing the legacy and cultural significance of Dallas’ oldest public park while also recognizing that it will evolve over time to serve the needs of the surrounding neighborhood and community at large. Through Old City Park Conservancy, we will continue to collaborate with the City of Dallas and community partners to ensure the ongoing stewardship and accessibility of this cherished historical park. Please know that we are deeply grateful for your support of our past efforts and hope you will join us in continuing to advocate for and provide financial support to Old City Park in the months and years ahead.

With deepest appreciation,
Dustin Bullard
Chair, Board of Trustees

📢 Attention all estate sale shoppers! 📢 If you snagged some treasures from our sale, Our item pick up is no longer on Sunday but is on Monday, May 6th, from 10 AM to 4 PM for item pick-up! 🕙 Don't miss out!

🌳 Park Closure Notice: 🌳
Please note that Old City Park will be closed this weekend, Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, as we prepare for an Estate Sale happening from April 29 to May 4. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you back to enjoy the park soon!
Thank you for your understanding

Dear Friends:

For more than fifty years, Dallas County Heritage Society (DCHS) has managed and operated Old City Park as a living history museum dedicated to sharing the stories of the individuals and families that lived in Dallas in its early years. Thanks to our incredible team of staff and volunteers, and through the items we collected and purchased to furnish and decorate every historic structure at Old City Park, we helped connect area residents and out of town guests with life in Dallas between 1840-1910. We are beyond grateful for the five decades that you have brought your families to the park, visited us on field trips, listened to our stories, interacted with our staff and volunteers, sat among the historic trees, and enjoyed our events. But very soon, our time as manager of Old City Park will come to an end.

Effective May 26, 2024, our management contract with the City of Dallas will end and the Dallas Park and Recreation Department will assume full responsibility for the management and operation of Old City Park. Because the Park will no longer operate as a museum, DCHS has a professional obligation to follow best practices in the disposition of our collection. Historically significant artifacts have been offered to other museums, libraries, and other non-profit organizations that will preserve these items and use them for educational purposes, so that these artifacts can continue to serve the purpose for which they were donated or otherwise acquired.

For the remaining items not collected by other institutions, we have made the heartbreaking decision to host an estate sale from April 29 – May 4. Proceeds from this sale will be used by DCHS to provide funding for future repairs and other improvements to the historic buildings and grounds of Old City Park. More detailed information about this sale will be provided in the days ahead.

🎉 Exciting News! 🐰 Our Adult Easter Egg Hunt is officially SOLD OUT! 🥚🌷 Due to overwhelming demand, there will be NO tickets available at the gate. 🚫🎟️

🕑 Just a reminder: Regular park operations will conclude at 2pm on Saturday, March 23, to prepare for the egg-citing hunt! 🐣

Get ready for an egg-ceptional event filled with fun and surprises! 🎊 See you there! 😊

🐰 Don't miss out on the ultimate Adult Easter Egg Hunt experience! 🥚🎉 Secure your tickets now before they're gone! 🎟️ Hurry, spots are filling up fast! Grab yours before it's too late! 🏃‍♂️💨 🐣
https://loom.ly/JX4Hhx8

🚨 Last Chance Alert! 🚨

Time is running out to secure your spot for the ultimate adult Easter egg hunt with OCP on March 23, from 5-8 PM! 🌟 Get ready for an evening filled with excitement as surprises await you around every corner of the park. 🎁 Treat your taste buds to delicious delights from our food truck, groove to beats spun by a DJ, sip on ice-cold beer, and indulge in so much more! 🍔🎶

But wait, there's more! Don't forget about our special bunnies hiding somewhere in the park – find one and win one of these incredible Easter baskets! 🐰🎁 Tickets are just $15 per person, but they're selling faster than Easter candy! 🎟️ Don't let this unique experience slip away – remember, this event is strictly 21 and up! 🥚🍻 Grab your tickets now and get ready for an adventure like no other!
https://loom.ly/JX4Hhx8

Join us at OCP tomorrow, March 7th, from 6-8pm for an exclusive book signing with Dr. Bradley Folsom! 📚✍️ Reserve your spot now at https://loom.ly/yIGgEZ0 . Copies of his book "Roman Spectacle on the Rio Grande: Borderland Animal Fights at the Turn of the Century" will be available for purchase. Don't miss out!

Join us at OCP this Thursday, March 7th, from 6-8pm for an exclusive book signing with Dr. Bradley Folsom! 📚✍️ Reserve your spot now at https://loom.ly/yIGgEZ0 . Copies of his book "Roman Spectacle on the Rio Grande: Borderland Animal Fights at the Turn of the Century" will be available for purchase. Don't miss out!

Step back in time and explore the historic Millermoore House at OCP! 🏡✨ Now open to the public whenever our staff is on site, Thursday through Sunday. Don't miss your chance to peek into one of the oldest homes in the area. Plan your visit today!

Get geared up for the ultimate Easter adventure! Join OCP on March 23 from 5-8 PM for an adult Easter egg hunt like no other. Prepare for a thrill as surprises are scattered throughout the entire park. Indulge in delicious delights from our food truck, groove to tunes spun by a DJ, sip on refreshing beer, and much more! Don't let this unforgettable experience pass you by! Tickets are $15 per person, this event is 21 and up only.
https://loom.ly/JX4Hhx8

We regret to inform you that World Thinking Day will not be hosted today. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Celebrate World Thinking Day this year at Old City Park!

Come earn your World Thinking Day Award here at the park by exploring environmental problems and how you can work with nature to create a more peaceful and secure future for girls everywhere. All levels are welcome to attend!

When: February 24, 2024
Time: 10am – 2pm
Cost: $10 per Girl Scout
Badge : Included (while supplies last)

Find out more and book your troop here!
https://loom.ly/uVYirCs

Get geared up for the ultimate Easter adventure! Join OCP on March 23 from 5-8 PM for an adult Easter egg hunt like no other. Prepare for a thrill as surprises are scattered throughout the entire park. Indulge in delicious delights from our food truck, groove to tunes spun by a DJ, sip on refreshing beer, and much more! Don't let this unforgettable experience pass you by!
https://loom.ly/JX4Hhx8

What is Old City Park Without The Artifacts? We Might Find Out if Dallas Doesn't do Something Soon I hope you read Part 1 of what is happening to Old City Park. […]

As Waylon And Willie Leave Old City Park, Uncertainty For Dallas' Only Heritage Village Remains Two weeks ago, a social media post about Old City Park’s resident donkeys Waylon […]

🚧 Attention, visitors! 🚧 Old City Park is closed today for visitor safety. We will see you all tomorrow.