Would you like to visit the Big Bend, Big Thicket, Caddo Lake and Padre Island all in one day? How about seeing an alligator up close, or a grizzly bear, or ivory-billed Woodpecker? You can see all of that and more in nearly fifty meticulously crafted three-dimensional wildlife dioramas in the Fair Park Visitor Center. Artists and craftsmen of Dallas Museum of Natural History created this unique collection of exhibits to showcase the natural heritage of Texas. Would you like to visit the Big Bend, Big Thicket, Caddo Lake and Padre Island all in one day? How about seeing an alligator up close, or a grizzly bear, or ivory-billed Woodpecker? You can see all of that and more in nearly fifty meticulously crafted three-dimensional wildlife dioramas in the Fair Park Visitor Center. Artists and craftsmen of Dallas Museum of Natural History created this unique collection of exhibits to showcase the natural heritage of Texas.
FAIR PARK REOPENS HISTORIC WILDLIFE DIORAMAS TO
THE PUBLIC AFTER 14 YEARS
Dallas, Texas – June 18, 2026, Fair Park is proud to announce the reopening of the historic Wildlife Dioramas at the Fair Park Visitor Center, marking the return of a beloved educational and cultural asset to the community after 14 years.
The exhibits, originally created by the staff of the former Dallas Museum of Natural History, showcase wildlife from around the world through detailed habitat displays that have inspired generations of visitors. The reopening is the result of a collaborative effort among Fair Park, Dallas Parks and Recreation, retired museum professionals, and dedicated community volunteers.
Leading the effort was retired Dallas Museum of Natural History Exhibit Director Walt Davis, who spent 25 years with the museum while it was operated by Dallas Parks and Recreation. During his tenure, Davis oversaw the construction of wildlife dioramas and completed the final exhibit in a collection whose origins date back to the museum's opening in 1936.
"These exhibits represent an important part of Dallas history," said Walt Davis. "They were funded largely through public support and deserve to be experienced by future generations. I am excited to see them accessible to the public once again."
To support the reopening, members of the North Texas Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists recently completed training and participated in a practice tour of the exhibits led by Davis.
Volunteers will staff the Visitor Center every Sunday, providing educational opportunities and visitor engagement throughout the museum's public operating hours.
The museum will be open Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The reopening was coordinated through the leadership of Monica Tetteh, Fair Park's Community Engagement, Programming and Marketing Manager, whose team worked to organize volunteers, partnerships, marketing, and community outreach efforts.
"This project demonstrates what can happen when community partners, volunteers, and dedicated staff come together around a shared vision," said Brett Wulke, General Manager of Fair Park. "We are grateful to Walt Davis, the Texas Master Naturalists, Monica Tetteh and her team, and everyone who played a role in bringing these exhibits back to life."
The reopening is part of a broader strategy to activate Fair Park year-round through educational programming, cultural experiences, community events, and public space activation.
Visitors attending the museum on Sundays can also enjoy the Fair Park Farmers Market, held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., along with activities across the campus including Children's Aquarium boat rentals, live entertainment, the gardens and butterflies at the Texas Discovery Gardens, the Mandela Exhibit at the African American Museum and family-friendly programming.
Fair Park continues to expand programming through collaborations with its campus partners, including the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park, Texas Discovery Gardens, the African American Museum, Dallas Historical Society's Hall of State, Broadway Dallas, WRR, Dos Equis Pavilion, the State Fair of Texas and The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL).
Additional programming planned for the coming months includes A Night at the Museum, community wellness events, cultural celebrations, educational activities, and signature Fair Park events designed to connect residents and visitors with the historic campus.
For more information about museum hours and upcoming events, visit Fair Park's website and social media channels.
