Dear Friends:
For more than fifty years, Dallas County Heritage Society (DCHS) has managed and operated Old City Park as a living history museum dedicated to sharing the stories of the individuals and families that lived in Dallas in its early years. Thanks to our incredible team of staff and volunteers, and through the items we collected and purchased to furnish and decorate every historic structure at Old City Park, we helped connect area residents and out of town guests with life in Dallas between 1840-1910. We are beyond grateful for the five decades that you have brought your families to the park, visited us on field trips, listened to our stories, interacted with our staff and volunteers, sat among the historic trees, and enjoyed our events. But very soon, our time as operator of Old City Park will come to an end.
Effective May 26, 2024, our management contract with the City of Dallas will end and the Dallas Park and Recreation Department will assume full responsibility for the management and operation of Old City Park. Because the Park will no longer operate as a museum, DCHS has a professional obligation to follow best practices in the disposition of our collection. Historically significant artifacts have been offered to other museums, libraries, and other non-profit organizations that will preserve these items and use them for educational purposes, so that these artifacts can continue to serve the purpose for which they were donated or otherwise acquired.
For the remaining items not collected by other institutions, we have made the heartbreaking decision to host an estate sale from April 29 – May 4. Proceeds from this sale will be used by DCHS to provide funding for future repairs and other improvements to the historic buildings and grounds of Old City Park. More details regarding the sale can be found below.
Estate Sale FAQ
Why is Dallas County Heritage Society having an estate sale? Dallas County Heritage Society (DCHS) has operated Old City Park for over fifty years. After May 26, 2024, it will no longer operate as a museum. In an effort to exit gracefully, DCHS has donated significant pieces of the collection to various nonprofit organizations across Texas. This sale is for the remainder of our collection not given to other organizations.
When is the estate sale? The sale will begin on Monday, April 29 and run through Saturday, May 4th. It will run from 10am-4pm
Can I access the sale early? There will be a ticketed Early Bird access on Monday, April 29. Tickets will be $20 at the gate. There will be no presale.
Is there a discount? Monday – Wednesday, all items will be full priced. Thursday – Friday will have a 25% discount. Saturday will have a 50% discount.
What items are you selling? We will have a broad range of large furniture pieces to small collectibles.
Will there be pictures I can look at before the sale? We hope to have pictures up soon.
Who is your estate sale partner? We have partnered with The Jewel Box for this process.
What is DCHS doing with the proceeds? DCHS will be exiting operations to move to a board-operated support group for Old City Park. The proceeds from the sale will be used for Old City Park buildings, grounds, and the long-term success of the park.
What will happen to the items that are not sold? DCHS will be working with the Dallas Parks Department and other nonprofit organizations on our remaining items.