The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Like Pearl Harbor and 9/11, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 shook the United States to its core and became an indelible moment on the minds of millions of Americans.

To this day, the tragic events at Dealey Plaza in Dallas continue to inspire research, debate and fascination with JFK and his presidency.

This story is told at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, where a wide array of historic TV and radio broadcasts, photographs, manuscripts, documents and artifacts are displayed within the former Texas School Book Depository building.

The Museum’s main exhibit, entitled John F. Kennedy and the Memory of a Nation, provides the context for understanding what was happening in America and what issues JFK was facing when he was killed. Here you can stand in the chilling Corner Window area where Oswald allegedly fired the deadly rifle shots, now recreated from crime-scene photographs to accurately reflect the setup the assassin used. Then explore artifacts from the ensuing investigation, including a scale model of Dealey Plaza submitted to the Warren Commission and a Mannlicher-Carcano rifle identical to the one used by Oswald. 

Despite the sad circumstances that led to its creation, the Sixth Floor Museum is a fantastic tribute to the memory of a beloved American president. Whether you’re old enough to remember exactly where you were the day you heard the news, or you want to bring history to life for your kids or students, come and experience again an event that changed the world. 

Photo credit: Dallas Times Herald Collection / The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza