Judge Garry A. Weber Oral History

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Judge Garry A. Weber Oral History

Videotaped oral history interview with Judge Garry A. Weber. Weber attended the Dallas Trade Mart luncheon on November 22, 1963. As a member of the Dallas City Council (1969-76), he voted to spare the Texas School Book Depository building from demolition in 1972. Later, as Dallas County Judge (1979-82), Weber presided over the dedication of the Depository building as the seat of local government on March 29, 1981. Interview recorded at Judge Weber's office in Dallas, TX on June 05, 2018 by Curator Stephen Fagin and C. Dealey Campbell of the Dallas Historical Society. The interview is 35 minutes long.

Object Details
Object title:

Judge Garry A. Weber Oral History

Date:

06/05/2018

Medium:

Born digital (.m2ts file)

Dimensions:

Duration: 35 Minutes

Credit line:

Oral History Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Object number:

2018.001.0060

Curatorial Note:

On Sunday, March 29, 1981, just one day prior to the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan, the former Texas School Book Depository building was officially reopened as the new seat of Dallas County government. About 200 people attended the ceremony, which also commemorated the 135th anniversary of the founding of Dallas County, inside the new two-story Dallas County Commissioners Courtroom. A Texas State Historical Marker, which referred to the building as "Formerly the Texas School Book Depository Building," was unveiled. Judge Garry Weber did not hide from the building's infamous past, saying during his remarks, "It's out of habit that we call it the Texas School Book Depository. We all know its 80-year history... but now it has become the new seat of Dallas County government." Even though The Sixth Floor exhibit would not open until February 1989, plans were already in the works. Weber told reporters that day in 1981 that county business would not be disrupted "by the proposed museum...because an outside elevator to the sixth floor will be built to accommodate the anticipated 100,000 visitors each year." Mired in controversy, construction on that elevator shaft began almost exactly seven years later in March 1988. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator

Judge Garry A. Weber Oral History

Videotaped oral history interview with Judge Garry A. Weber. Weber attended the Dallas Trade Mart luncheon on November 22, 1963. As a member of the Dallas City Council (1969-76), he voted to spare the Texas School Book Depository building from demolition in 1972. Later, as Dallas County Judge (1979-82), Weber presided over the dedication of the Depository building as the seat of local government on March 29, 1981. Interview recorded at Judge Weber's office in Dallas, TX on June 05, 2018 by Curator Stephen Fagin and C. Dealey Campbell of the Dallas Historical Society. The interview is 35 minutes long.

Object Details
Object title:

Judge Garry A. Weber Oral History

Date:

06/05/2018

Terms:

Oral histories

Trade Mart luncheon

Dallas Trade Mart

Dallas City Council

Texas School Book Depository

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Dallas

Community Leaders (OHC)

History of 411 Elm Street and The Sixth Floor Museum (OHC)

Dallas Trade Mart (OHC)

Medium:

Born digital (.m2ts file)

Dimensions:

Duration: 35 Minutes

Credit line:

Oral History Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Object number:

2018.001.0060

Curatorial Note:

On Sunday, March 29, 1981, just one day prior to the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan, the former Texas School Book Depository building was officially reopened as the new seat of Dallas County government. About 200 people attended the ceremony, which also commemorated the 135th anniversary of the founding of Dallas County, inside the new two-story Dallas County Commissioners Courtroom. A Texas State Historical Marker, which referred to the building as "Formerly the Texas School Book Depository Building," was unveiled. Judge Garry Weber did not hide from the building's infamous past, saying during his remarks, "It's out of habit that we call it the Texas School Book Depository. We all know its 80-year history... but now it has become the new seat of Dallas County government." Even though The Sixth Floor exhibit would not open until February 1989, plans were already in the works. Weber told reporters that day in 1981 that county business would not be disrupted "by the proposed museum...because an outside elevator to the sixth floor will be built to accommodate the anticipated 100,000 visitors each year." Mired in controversy, construction on that elevator shaft began almost exactly seven years later in March 1988. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator