Housed in a heritage-listed building that had been a performing arts centre, agricultural show arena and later warehouse, it dates from 1910 and was remodelled in 1936 in the Art Deco style.
3800 Parry Ave
Dallas
TX 75226
(PO Box 150381, Dallas, TX 75315-0381)
Ph: +1 512 459 1167
Fax: +1 512 459 1408
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.thewomensmuseum.org
This major museum is based in the Fair Park (home of America’s largest State Fair), 7-8 km SW of downtown Dallas. It opened in October 2000 and aims “to educate, enrich and inspire all visitors by celebrating women’s history and providing a public forum for the communication of women’s contributions to society.”
On 2 floors, with an additional mezzanine for temporary displays, its state of the art, hands-on interactive exhibits explore the contributions of around 3000 women throughout American history, examining the similarities and differences among women’s lives across time. There is considerable emphasis on DVD presentation stations, touchscreen and A/V kiosks.
The museum was 4 years in the making, the dreamchild of Cathy Bonner, President of the Board of the Texas Foundation for Women’s Resources, a group which had established numerous women’s projects over 20 years including a leadership training program and an exhibition on Texan women’s history.
As well as a shop and café, there is a large auditorium for films, talks and conferences etc as well as meeting rooms for hire. The adjoining Ronya Kozmetsky Institute for the Future provides educational and enrichment programs including a specialised curriculum in maths, science, computer and Internet technology for middle school girls.