Heritage tourism is the term used to describe a system that links historic sites to the tourism industry. The National Trust for Historic Preservation leads the nation in its promotion of heritage sites, some that it maintains and others that it promotes with its associates. The Texas Historical Commission has also initiated a series of heritage trails to support local communities across the state. Heritage tourism is more than opening up a crumbling old house, showing off dusty antiques and listening to well-scripted tour guides. Heritage tourism is vibrant, interactive, and simply good business. A heritage tourism program might set the stage for offering a more complete visit of the city's historic properties by tourists, and certainly would add money to the bottom line for some of our local businesses.

Wilson House

Many of you may not know that we welcome hundreds of visitors to the Wilson House each year (see photo above right) as tourists and tour groups look for sites where Dallas residents historically lived. The Wilson House, an 1899 Victorian, is not a house museum, but it is a relatively intact site that allows visitors to see how people lived in the early 20th century. Our tours tell about the development of the Wilson Block and the Intown Living Center, not necessarily the location of Henrietta Wilson's sewing box. We want to make our visitors aware of our history and architecture.

You may not know that a handful of other houses in the city are also open to the public for rentals and, occasionally, for tours. The Turner House in the Winnetka Heights Historic District (below left) is one of these and is operated by the Oak Cliff Fine Arts Society. This 1912 Prairie-influenced house is one of the earliest in the neighborhood. It is open for events and rentals.

The Dallas Woman's Forum on Ross (below center) is another historic house open for public use and rentals. This 1906 house is among the city's oldest residences, and one of the few original houses remaining along Ross Avenue. The work of Sanguinett & Staats of Fort Worth with C.D. Hill, it is virtually intact from its original construction.

Another architectural treasure, the Aldredge House on Swiss Avenue (below right), dominates the district as one of Hal Thomson's finest residences. This French Eclectic style house is distinguished on the exterior and the interior contains many of the original furnishings. The Aldredge House is also available for rentals, and for architectural tours by appointment. The Dallas County Medical Society Alliance has owned the house since 1974, when Swiss Avenue was a struggling neighborhood.

Preservation Dallas is now working with these organizations to develop a network that encourages greater use and marketing for heritage tourism in Dallas. Imagine the rich experience that tourists would experience when visiting the city and receiving a tour of each of these properties.

W. Dwayne Jones,
Executive Director
August 1, 2004

Turner House

Dallas Woman's Forum

Aldredge House