Other Historical Interests
Ruth Paine House Museum
The Ruth Paine House Museum is open for tours. Reservations must be made in advance by going to www.cityofirving.org There on the City's home page should be a photo and info about the house and tours. If not, look at the lower part of the home page under "visitors" and click on "museums" to get to the info. Tours are Tues-Sat 10am, noon, 2pm, and 4pm. Cost is $12 for ages 12 and older.
Tues., Nov. 12, on KERA at 10pm, the Ruth Paine House Museum documentary was shown. Info about it reads: "On a quiet street in Irving, Texas, there is a ranch-style tract home that looks like so many others of its type, but on a tragic day in 1963 this home became part of our nation's history. Ruth Paine befriended Marina Oswald, an act of kindnes that brought Lee Harvey Oswald into her life and entwined the home and those living there in the legacy of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy."
Then because many of us want to keep up to date on the Heritage Crossing activities, here is some info from a message from Kevin Kass of the City regarding a presentation on Thurs., Nov. 14, as well as some other dates on the subject. As he mentioned, feel free to contact him for any additional information.
Heritage Crossing
With the fall season fast upon us we look forward to several exciting things regarding the ongoing Heritage Crossing Redevelopment Initiative. Please see below:
Work continues on the schematic design for the reconstruction of the Irving Boulevard/Second Street corridor through downtown as well as the restructuring of the development regulations for Heritage Crossing. Meeting dates for community presentations and input of the same have now been set:
—Thursday, November 14, from 6 - 9 pm in the council chambers followed the next day, Friday, November 15, from 10 am until 1 pm (in foyer area next to council chambers by north public entrance) in a workshop setting for follow-up meetings with property owners, residents and other interested parties.
—Tuesday, December 10, from 6 – 9 pm in the council chambers to review the refined drafts from the November meetings followed once again the next morning, Wednesday, December 11, from 9 am until noon for follow-up small group and one-on-one discussions with all interested parties.
—Staff and consultant will then give a detailed presentation of the same to the Council Planning and Development Committee on Thursday, December 12, at 5 pm.
Staff will bring forward a proposed Downtown Sign Enhancement Program for council consideration and adoption at the December 12 meeting of the City Council. Staff presented this item initially at the September 19 Planning and Development Committee meeting and received a favorable recommendation for bringing forward to the full council. This program will serve as a companion item to the existing Downtown Façade Program by addressing the removal of pole signs and deteriorating signs along the Irving Boulevard/Second Street corridor through the Downtown area and replacing with new signs that meet current city criteria and support the vision for Heritage Crossing. Qualifying work will be available for up to $5,000 in direct reimbursement.
Staff will also be updating the Heritage Crossing section on the city's website by removing dated items and adding coverage of the fall Heritage Crossing community meeting listed above and other pertinent information as it becomes available. As always, I will gladly respond to any questions you may have about the above or the overall direction and components of the Heritage Crossing Redevelopment Initiative.
The Society has cooperated with the City of Irving's Preservation and Redevelopment Board in:
Naming the Historic Heritage District
Sponsoring historic tours and trail
Supplying encouragement and expertise for the founding and development of Bear Creek Heritage Park
Awards received by The Society include:
Citations from the Texas Historical Commission, the Dallas County Historical Commission, the
Irving Academy of Community Service, and the
Texas African American Heritage Organization "Best performance by civic or religious organization" in Irving in 1991
First and second place in the July 4th parades in 1988 and 1989
First place in the 1988 Christmas Parade
Best of Show - Irving Parks And Recreation in 1989
Special Award - Irving Arts Center Tree Decorating Competition Dec 1994
Dallas County Historical Commission–Old Red Award-1994
Legacy Award by the La Cima - April 22, 2003 - Instrumental in pioneering and visionary achievement in the city, the Las Colinas Community and/or the La Cima Club.