The Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society (PCHPS) and The Friends of the University Park Library celebrated the dedication of The Archives of the Park Cities at an event held at the University Park Library earlier this month.
They were joined by representatives from Highland Park Independent School District (HPISD) and the Highland Park Educational Foundation, along with HPHS football Coach Randy Allen and players from the 1945, 1957, 2005, 2016 and 2017 football teams – representing the five years HPHS has won Football State Championships. Highland Park Mayor Margo Goodwin attended, along with PCHPS president Venise Stuart and Melissa Rieman, president of the Friends of the University Park Library.
PCHPS is working with HPISD to store and display their archives, including memorabilia from those five years HPHS has won Football State Championships, including trophies, uniforms, photos, souvenirs and more. Coach Allen shared stories beginning with the 1945 State Championship. He recognized members from the 1957 championship team who were present, as well as members from the 2016 and 2017 teams, including Thomas Shelmire, Finn Corwin and Colby Hopkins, who shared insightful stories about their experiences and camaraderie as HPHS players. HPHS Yearbooks beginning in 1924 through to the present are also stored and some on display.
Taylor Armstrong, PCHPS board member, gave special thanks to the HPISD Education Foundation for contributing its collections to the archives. PCHPS has designed and built the cabinets to store archives and memorabilia for the Park Cities, which are located on the second floor in the University Park Library. Residents are encouraged to bring their memorabilia to the library for consideration for display. Some items one might think are old relics and not important may in fact be items of historical significance and interest to residents and history enthusiasts.
The cabinets also house maps and the Brown Books that are a valuable resource for the residents of University Park. The books have a photo of each home with related statistics and dates. Residents took a few minutes to research their own homes and those of their parents, as well.
Everyone is encouraged to drop by the UP Library located at 8383 Preston Center Plaza #200, Dallas, TX 75225 (on the east side) and take a few minutes to reflect on the history that is displayed in this wonderful ongoing exhibit. You can find hours of operation at the website https://www.uptexas.org/Government/UP-Public-Library or call 214-363-9095.
Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society’s mission, the central purpose and mission of the Society, is to preserve and promote the history, architecture, aesthetics and cultural traditions of the Park Cities, “Shaping the Future of Our Past.” PCHPS vision, the desired future vision for the Society, is to inspire passionate community support for the preservation of historic homes, buildings, parks, landmarks and traditions of the Park Cities.
Membership in PCHPS is open to the public and includes such benefits as educational meetings in private homes, opportunities to become involved in the Taste*Tour*Explore events each spring, including the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon, Historic Home Tour and the Classic and Antique Car Show, participate in the annual July 4th parade and more. Visit the website at pchps.org for more information.
* Photos by Rob Wythe/Gittings.