The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza announced on Apr. 2 that it will open a new exhibition, “On Assignment: Dallas Times Herald 1963,” starting April 29. The exhibition is presented by Frost Bank with major support from Central Market and additional support from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Media support comes from The Dallas Morning News, while annual museum support is provided by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture and VisitDallas.
This exhibition focuses on how journalists and photographers at the Dallas Times Herald covered events in November 1963, which became a defining moment in American history. Nicola Longford, CEO of The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, said, “What started as a routine assignment for Dallas Times Herald journalists and photographers that day would later be known as one of the biggest stories of their careers and a defining moment in modern American history.”
The exhibit highlights several reporters who played key roles during President Kennedy’s visit to Texas. Keith Shelton traveled with the presidential party across multiple cities; Darwin Payne worked on stories about First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; Vivian Castleberry reported on human-interest topics including gender inequality; Jim Lehrer covered federal news and was assigned to report on President Kennedy’s arrival; Bob Jackson captured the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph when Lee Harvey Oswald was murdered; Eamon Kennedy documented events from Love Field Airport to Parkland Memorial Hospital.
According to the official website, The Sixth Floor Museum preserves oral histories and cultural artifacts related to the 1960s, contributing to public education about historical events. The museum also includes accessibility features, artifact collections from that era, self-guided tours in multiple languages focused on historical themes, and operates out of the historic former Texas School Book Depository building at 411 Elm Street in Dallas.
Since opening in 1989, The Sixth Floor Museum has documented President John F. Kennedy’s life, death, and legacy through exhibits like this one according to its official website. Admission to “On Assignment: Dallas Times Herald 1963” is included with regular museum entry.
