After a 14-year hiatus, the historical Dallas Museum of Natural History has reopened in Fair Park. Throughout the World Cup, the museum will be open for limited tours and public access on Sundays in an effort to revive Dallas Fair Park programming.
Coinciding with the U.S. centennial, the Dallas Museum of Natural History was founded in 1936. The natural history museum housed an extensive collection of Dallas-area flora and fauna featuring Texas wildlife habitats, taxidermy fauna, and dioramas. For generations, the museum was a frequent destination for field trips.
The historical museum will reopen for a limited time, offering tours on Sundays from 3 pm – 9 pm throughout the World Cup (June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19) Viewings are free to the public.
Also returning is the museum’s longtime curator and exhibit director, Walt Davis. Having grown up visiting the museum, the artist and naturalist would go on to curate the museum’s exhibits for 15 years – overseeing the construction of the dioramas and painted landscapes. A year after the museum closed, Davis penned a book about the museum’s history.
“It reminded me of my first visit here when I was 3 years old,” said Davis on its re-opening this past Sunday, where over 500 people showed up. “It was a part of the childhood of thousands of people, and several of them came in Sunday and were so happy to see it open again”.
A fellow longtime resident of Fair Park is also returning. Old Mill Inn, one of Dallas’ oldest restaurants, is reopening as fully operational bar, restaurant, and patio. Under Isaac Rousso – best known as an award-winning concessionaire of State Fair of Texas, the Old Mill Inn is presently open for previews during the World Cup. The revived inn will open in its full form late summer ahead of the State Fair.
