Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (Texas)

10 and up, Teenagers, Texas, United States 3 Minutes

Visiting historical sites can sometimes include places where people, including kings, queens, and presidents, lost their lives. These spaces are sacred sites in history and can be a memorable place to visit. While in Dallas, Texas for a college visit, I had to visit the Texas School Book Depository, the site of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza which is dedicated to the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy.

History

One of the most shocking and horrific days in American presidential history is November 22, 1963. President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline, visited Texas with Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, and his wife, Lady Bird. On that fateful day, the presidential motorcade rode through downtown Dallas, and as it passed the Texas School Book Depository building near Dealey Plaza, shots rang out. President Kennedy was killed, and we all remember the grief-stricken picture of Mrs. Kennedy standing beside now-President Johnson as he was sworn in on Air Force One. 

The building was swarmed with FBI and police and eventually, the killer, Lee Harvey Oswald, was found. He was killed before standing trial, leading to even more speculation and conspiracy theories on the event. 

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza preserves the site where Oswald stood and is now an informative museum on the assassination and its aftermath.

Visit

The Sixth Floor Museum is very popular so be sure to buy your timed entry tickets ahead of time here. Once you arrive, you’ll queue for the elevator ride to the sixth floor.

The floor contains many exhibits about President John F. Kennedy, the 1960 campaign, and the fateful trip to Texas. There are many pictures, memorabilia, and videos that add to the haunting story.

As you work your way through the exhibits, you’ll come to the corner where Oswald fired the fatal shots. It has been preserved and can only be viewed through glass. The scene has been recreated just as it was when Oswald stood there. It is chilling.

Beside the glass-enclosed space, you can view the road below through the windows, using computer screens to understand the trajectory of the bullets and traffic. 

As you glance out the windows, you’ll note the large Xs on the road that mark the spots where the shots hit JFK. 

Continue through the museum to see some fascinating memorabilia such as the suit worn by the policeman handcuffed to Oswald as he was shot by Jack Ruby.

The infamous Zapruder film from the “grassy knoll” on Dealey Plaza is discussed.

Teens will be fascinated with the FBI model of the event as you can discuss the various angles and theories that abound. 

You can even view Oswald’s wedding ring and learn more about him and his Communist political beliefs. 

After finishing the exhibits, don’t miss going up to the seventh floor where you can stand right above the exact spot where the shots were taken. This perspective on the road below gave me goose-bumps.

Go back down to the ground level and don’t miss the gift shop before you leave. Your tour isn’t done, however. Make sure to cross the street and walk around Dealey Plaza where you feel as if you’re walking in history.

Your kids will be fascinated with the infamous grassy knoll.

Visiting the site where one of the most pivotal events in the 20th century happened is important for all Americans. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is a place that’s not-to-be-missed on any trip to Dallas.

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Published by Jayda Justus, The History Mom

Jayda B. Justus is the creator/writer of the blog, The History Mom, where she provides detailed reviews of US and European historical sites for families with corresponding book recommendations. She loves interacting with the bookish world on Instagram as @thehistorymom, especially #bookstagram, and has appeared as a guest on several podcasts, blogs, and media outlets. Her favorite genres to read are historical fiction and nonfiction, but she also loves contemporary and historical romance and women’s fiction. Hailing from the historic town of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, she is a former legislative director for a Member of Congress and now lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family where she spends her days working on her first novel. Visit her at The History Mom (https://thehistorymom.com).

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