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Visitors: Preserving JFK's Legacy

In 1963, Dallas witnessed the tragic death of one of the most revered presidential figures in our nation's history, President John F. Kennedy. Since that time, Dallas has succeeded in preserving the inspirational legacy the president left behind. The place of his death has since turned into a site of historical commemoration for those who have vivid recollections of the man and the infamous moment.

In 1989, The Sixth Floor Museum of the Texas School Book Depository opened in downtown Dallas. This exhibit features historic photographs, artifacts, and documentary films, which have taken millions of visitors on a tour through the life, death and legacy of JFK.The sixth floor is the location from which Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly shot and killed the president.

Since that sunny 1963 day in Dallas, the nation continues to search for the truth surrounding the death of our 35th President. The movie JFK, starring Kevin Costner and directed by Oliver Stone, was filmed in Dallas and included extensive footage of the School Book Depository, now known as the Dallas County Administration Building.

On November 22, 1993, the 30th anniversary of JFK's death, Dealey Plaza was designated a National Historic Landmark. This area includes Dealey Plaza Park, the triple underpass and its bridge, all surrounding buildings and a portion of the rail yards north of Elm Street. Although tragic circumstances surround the designation, the city of Dallas has a great honor in preserving the historic significance of the site.

These two sites serve Dallas with more than just additional tourist attractions. The Dallas County Historical Foundation, which operates The Sixth Floor Museum and hosted the opening ceremony for Dealey Park, hopes these two sites will provide educational guidance for future generations. Foundation President Walter Blake said, "These two landmarks will have strong influences in the Dallas area as they force us to focus on our responsibilities in a democracy to preserve both good and bad history, and on the positive legacy of John F. Kennedy that lives on to inspire countless Americans who are not yet born."

In 1969, a Kennedy family friend, Phillip Johnson, constructed the John F. Kennedy Memorial also located in Dallas. This 50 foot square, open-roofed, concrete-walled monument resembles an open tomb. Designed to the specifications expressed by former First Lady Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis, "John F. Kennedy" is inscribed on the black marble. It is not unusual to find flowers or notes placed here, especially on November 22. This memorial is located downtown on Main, Elm, and Market Streets.

Recent additions to the permanent educational exhibit at the Sixth Floor Museum include artifacts from the Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis Estate sale. Also added is an exhibit of 13 cameras in use at Dealey Plaza in 1963, including the Abraham Zapruder camera, which captured the entire assassination.

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