Two Dallas residents and a long-lost historic flag have inspired Dallas Heritage Village to become involved in a unique effort to bring back an emblem reminding us to respect our past and preserve our heritage for generations to come. Dallas Heritage Village, whose mission is to preserve Dallas and Texas history, launched an online fundraising campaign on January 12 to raise $10,000 to make two replicas of the newly discovered, historic Dallas flag, which, upon completion, will fly at Dallas Heritage Village on its 100-foot tall flag pole. The fundraising campaign will close on February 2 on the City of Dallas’ 160th birthday. The large replica flag, measuring 20 feet in height and 50 feet in length, will be raised for the first time at Dallas Heritage Village on Sunday, March 26 at a special 12 p.m. flag ceremony during the Village’s annual Sunday Social event. The Dallas flag will fly in rotation with the Texas flag.
The inspiration for this effort began with the help of two men: Dallas engineer Dallas May and The Dallas Morning News City Columnist Robert Wilonsky. Over the last couple of years, May has been working to get a new municipal flag for the City of Dallas. He spoke to the City Council in 2015 and has even presented his own design for a flag – one he feels speaks to the people. A passionate advocate of building a better Dallas, May possesses a unique understanding for what a flag can mean for a city and how it can affect people on an emotional level.
Wilonsky learned of May’s thoughts and interests and thoroughly researched the history of Dallas flags, resulting in an article published over a year ago.
(A History of Dallas' Official Flag, Which Everyone Either Forgets About Or Wants To Change http://www.dallasnews.com/news/dallas-city-hall/2015/10/14/a-history-of-dallas-official-flag-which-everyone-either-forgets-about-or-wants-to-change)
“Dallas' first official flag dates back to March 20, 1916, and was the winning entry in a design contest sponsored by the short-lived Evening Journal, which was published a century ago by The Dallas Morning News,” wrote Wilonsky. “The winning design was by Jane Malone, who won a whopping $25 for her footnote of a flag that hung in a few places but was never mass-produced despite stop-and-start efforts.”
Dallas Heritage Village President and Executive Director Melissa Prycer stated, “I can’t help but wonder if World War I was the reason for the start and stop efforts of producing the flag. It’s very likely the city might have gotten busy doing other things, and this was not the priority of the time period, but this is something we will never know.”
Just before the holidays, Wilonsky was shopping at a Lakewood antique store when his son spotted a pennant with the familiar Dallas flag design Wilonsky had discovered in his research. Lu Smith, the owner of the antique booth at Curiosities in Lakewood, thinks she purchased it at a flea market in Dallas County.
“And as far as Dallas' official archivist John Slate is concerned, this is the only one in existence,” added Wilonsky.
Wilonsky wrote about finding the flag on December 22.
(Oh, Dallas, I Found Our Long-Lost, Never-Before-Seen, 100-Year-Old City Flag. http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2016/12/22/oh-dallas-found-long-lost-never-seen-100-year-old-city-flag)
When May read Wilonsky’s article, he contacted Dallas Heritage Village to inquire if the Dallas Heritage Village would be interested in flying a large replica on their flag pole. Dallas Heritage Village was elated about the possibility of being a part of this effort to restore the long-lost, never-before-seen flag and re-introducing this unique piece of history to the Dallas community.
“The plan is to raise the funds and produce two replicas as the wind can take a toll on flying flags,” added Prycer. “It will be nice to have a replacement flag when needed,” added Prycer. “Any additional funds raised will go into the Dallas Heritage Village Flag Fund.
Anyone interested in helping recreate this historic emblem of our city and preserving it for generations to come, may donate online at: www.dallasheritagevillage.org/Dallas’-Long-Lost-Official-Flag, from January 12 to February 2. Those donating $199 or less will receive two tickets to the Village’s annual Sunday Social event on March 26, and those donating $200 or more will receive four tickets. The donation minimum is $10. The historic Dallas flag replica will be raised at noon to kick off the annual Jazz Age Sunday Social event on March 26.
“It is very exciting that Robert Wilonsky discovered this important piece of history and brought it back to life,” added Prycer. The efforts of both Wilonsky and May combined are bringing a lost icon to back to our city. Obviously the Dallas Heritage Village, a living history museum dedicated to preservation, is very excited about it.”
For questions, please contact Dallas Heritage Village at 214-421-5141.