Today, October 31, 2011, The Women's Museum at Fair Park in Dallas is closing its doors after a decade of service in the community. It is a sad day for women and those who celebrate their many accomplishments. Sad for Dallas. Sad for Fair Park, too. An art museum once graced the fair grounds, but it became the Dallas Museum of Art and moved into downtown Dallas at the beginning of 1984. The Music Hall at Fair Park continues to host musicals such as West Side Story that ran during this year's fair. But with the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Winspear Opera House, and the Wyly Theater now in the downtown ATT Arts District one wonders how long musical theater will remain at Fair Park. Same thing with the Museum of Nature and Science as the new Perot Museum of Nature and Science nears completion in downtown Dallas. That will leave only the African American Museum at Fair Park, and I understand it is having financial troubles.
With 70,000 square feet, the museum housed an impressive variety of displays that documented and celebrated women's achievements throughout history. I believe there were occasional art exhibits over the years. It was the museum's mission to empower women and girls through interactive exhibits, videos, lectures, and discussions. Rusty donated work one year to The Bridge Breast Network to support their fight against breast cancer, and the benefit dinner and auction were held at The Women's Museum.
plenty of room for large banquets
I attended an awards banquet earlier this year at The Women's Museum as my friend Pat Vaughn was honored for her work in the community by the Maura Women Helping Women Award. The Maura WHW organization has been officing at The Women's Museum since 2007.
Colorful and engaging educational displays.
there was an exhibition about chili peppers up at the museum during the State Fair.
Here's hoping it does get easier for The Women's Museum as it moves forward in rediscovering itself.
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