The sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository was the primary crime scene for the John F. Kennedy assassination. Now in The Sixth Floor Museum, we were brought back to November 22, 1963.

As you begin the exhibit you are immediately brought back to the ‘60’s through film, provoking images and by the narration on our headsets. The Narrator draws you in, familiar voices, (people) who were in the news, from the news at the time, remind you that you were glued to the TV. I don’t know how many times I said to myself, “I remember that”. Images of JFK, his family from birth, his family with Jackie, his election process, the major social and political events of his presidency, his speeches; my pace slowed down, I did not want to miss anything.

A five city tour in Texas begins on November 21st, the President and First Lady are greeted by cheering crowds. On November 22nd in Dallas, their motorcade reaches Dealey Plaza, shots are fired striking the President and the Texas Governor Connally. Within forty-five minutes, three spent cartridge shells are discovered within a pile of boxes, now referred to as a make-shift Sniper’s Perch, on the sixth floor of the Book Depository building. This space is recreated here today, along with evidence, crime scene photographs and interactive touch screens, giving a unique and historical perspective.

Forty-five minutes after Kennedy was shot, J.D. Tippit, a Dallas police officer was shot. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and charged with both murders. He was a temporary employee of the Texas School Book Depository, his fingerprints were on the rifle registered to him that killed both men. Less than forty eight hours after the assassination Oswald was murdered by Jack Ruby.

The Warren Commission report presented to President Johnson in 1964 concluded that indeed Oswald was guilty with no evidence of conspiracy. Lingering questions and criticisms to this day, still exist surrounding this conclusion. At the Museum, many of the past conspiracy theories are addressed.

No photographs were allowed and I was glad of that. Everyone was travelling through the exhibits, lost in their own thoughts, moving at a pace comfortable to them. All of the exhibit is on one floor, the sixth, which allowed you to revisit an area of interest for clarification or to just see it again because it was interesting to you. If you were not around at the time of the assassination, you would certainly leave with a very clear lesson of what happened “that day”. We walked around outside in Dealey Plaza, an X marks the spot on the street where the fatal shot occurred.

Known as the “shot that was heard around the world”, an event that had families huddled around their black and white televisions for days, history unfolding in front of them. I remember where I was, in a Grade Eight class at King George School, being taught by a student teacher named Ron Gasparetto. Our principal Reg Lehman was supervising until he was interrupted and called to the office, only to return with the sad news. It was his responsibility to pass the word to the students who were old enough to understand and appreciate the impact of this senseless moment in time.

Where were you?

DALLAS is a big modern city in the north of Texas. It is the commercial and cultural hub of the region. A city known for its architecture, you can’t help but look up to the skyline and see the blend of old and new spattered here and there. The oldest building of interest in Dallas was built in 1885, many new and more to come, it would be good to take an architectural tour. Known for its energetic lifestyle, scrumptious food, places to visit and the variety of things to do. If you follow the Dallas Cowboys or enjoy Modern Art this is the place to be.

Thank you for my birthday wishes today. We all had a great time touring the city, embracing history and dining Texas style. Safely home we celebrated with cards, champagne, birthday and anniversary toasts and a bit of late night pizza we made, Italian style.

Mike and Cathy thank you for the time you have spent with us. We love your company and we truly can not wait for the next time we gather, wherever that may be. We are excited about your new adventures and wish you all of the best, always.