The historic Dallas landmark Arlington Hall turns 75 this month and Lee Park & Arlington Hall Conservancy (“the Conservancy”) will host several public and private events to honor the iconic Hall in the community. The Conservancy is a nonprofit organization charged with the renovation, thoughtful development and conservation of the historic site of Lee Park and Arlington Hall in Dallas.
Arlington Hall was designed by Dallas architect, Mark Lemmon as a two-thirds scale replica of the Arlington House (formerly Custis-Lee Mansion), Robert E. Lee’s home in Arlington, Virginia, and took more than a year to complete. Through a public-private effort between the City of Dallas and the Conservancy, Arlington Hall underwent a complete rehabilitation and expansion, which was completed in December 2002. One of the most recognizable renovations included the new porte-cochere that Dallas’ own Margaret Hunt Hill donated in 2002.
Conservancy President and CEO Gay Donnell shared, “The preservation of this iconic Dallas landmark would not be possible without the support of the community and our donors. The Conservancy is excited to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the dedication of Arlington Hall with the community and we look forward to celebrating 75 more years with future generations in Dallas.”
Through its Board of Directors, the Conservancy has enlisted the volunteer help and oversight expertise of engineers, architects, attorneys, bankers, designers and project managers who actively participate in fulfilling the Conservancy’s mission of the continued preservation and enhancement of Arlington Hall and the park grounds on both sides of Turtle Creek Boulevard.
“Celebrating 75 years is a huge milestone, and it is both a reminder and a celebration for our board for all the hard work and commitment they have put into maintaining Arlington Hall and the beautiful surroundings of Lee Park. The Conservancy’s operations committee meets weekly and the board meets monthly to ensure the proper steps and partnerships are in place for the continued care and oversight that brings this Dallas treasure to life,” Donnell added.
The Conservancy Chairman of the Board, Steve Sutcliffe explained, “Widely considered the heart of the Turtle Creek corridor, Arlington Hall has served as a popular venue for weddings and events for decades. It is only through the generous contributions of our donors, that Arlington Hall will be able to provide a place where Dallas residents and visitors can continue to make cherished memories for years to come.”
Friday, October 24, commemorates Arlington Hall’s official 75th anniversary. Formally dedicated in 1939, Arlington Hall has been a magnet for cultural and social events over the years. The grounds’ historical and architectural charms have provided friends, families, residents and visitors with countless memories and a space that recognizes the city’s growth and prosperous future but is also reminiscent of one of the most pivotal periods in our nation’s history.
Arlington Hall will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a week of fun, family-friendly and educational events focused on the rich history of the building. The celebration officially kicks off Oct. 21 with a movie night in Lee Park, showing the 1939 classic “Gone with the Wind.” The following evening, another film from 1939, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” will be shown on the Green Lawn at Lee Park. On Friday, Oct. 24 there will be a luncheon at Arlington Hall, where Gary Scott, Director Emeritus of The National Park Service will discuss the significance of Arlington House, the inspiration for Arlington Hall. The celebration will culminate on Sunday, Oct. 26 with an afternoon open house at Arlington Hall complete with docents and other story tellers on hand to tell the history and little-known facts of Arlington Hall and its very beginnings in the city of Dallas.
Details of the 75th anniversary events can be found on the Conservancy website at www.leeparkconservancy.org. The public is also invited to share memories and photos of Arlington Hall on the Conservancy Facebook page, www.facebook.com/LeeParkDallas, and Instagram @LeeParkandArlingtonHall, using #ArlingtonHall75, to share in the online celebration of 75 years of memories at Arlington Hall.
About Lee Park & Arlington Hall Conservancy
Formed in 1995 by constituents of the Dallas Southern Memorial Association, Oak Lawn Forum, The Turtle Creek Association, The Oak Lawn Committee and Dallas Tavern Guild, Lee Park & Arlington Hall Conservancy (“LPAHC”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization charged with renovation, thoughtful development and conservation of the historic site of Lee Park and Arlington Hall in Dallas.
Through a public-private effort between the City of Dallas and LPAHC, Arlington Hall underwent a complete rehabilitation and expansion, which was completed in December 2002. Through its Board of Directors, the Conservancy has enlisted the volunteer help and oversight expertise of engineers, architects, attorneys, bankers, designers and project managers who actively participate in fulfilling LPAHC’s mission of the continued preservation and enhancement of Arlington Hall and the park grounds on both sides of Turtle Creek Boulevard. For more information visit www.leeparkconservancy.org.