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Renovated space to provide greater access to collections related to JFK assassination
DALLAS - Corgan Associates, Inc., one of the largest U.S.-based architectural firms focused on planning and design, has been selected to design the new Reading Room for The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Corgan will be renovating the former administrative offices in the former Texas School Book Depository, providing greater access to the museum’s growing collection of 35,000 items related to President John F. Kennedy and the events surrounding his assassination. The Reading Room represents the latest initiative by the nonprofit museum, which draws more than 325,000 visitors annually.
Offering unparalleled views into Dealey Plaza, the new Reading Room will be located on the first floor of the Dallas County Administration Building at 411 Elm. It will feature supervised access and assistance by collections/library staff to the museum’s library and research collections which includes nearly 5,000 volumes, 1,000 videos, more than 700 video-recorded interviews and public programs and some 2,000 historic magazines and journals.
“Corgan is excited to be a part of Dallas history, working with The Sixth Floor Museum to create a new space in a building that is ingrained in the memories of the city’s residents and tourists alike,” said Corgan Managing Principal, David Lind. “The Reading Room is a much needed addition that will now provide researchers and educators with a functional yet comfortable space to view the archived history that draws so many visitors to the museum each year from all over the world.”
“As we approach the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination, the museum has renewed its responsibility to make its considerable resources available to students, educators and researchers,” says Nicola Longford, the museum’s executive director. “The Reading Room presents an excellent opportunity to showcase and expand our collections.”
The scope of the project also includes the Media Room, a renovation of the southeast corner meeting space in the former Depository. The Media Room will serve a double function as the space will be shared with Dallas County employees. The renovated space will serve as both a meeting/conference room and, thanks to new appropriate lighting and improved acoustical performance, as a permanent place to continue the Museum's Oral Histories project.
The Reading Room is scheduled to open in November 2009.
About Corgan Associates, Inc.
>From its founding in 1938, Corgan has grown into one of the largest U.S.-based architectural firms focused exclusively on design. Named the firm of the year in 2007 by the Dallas chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and also recognized as one of the Best Places to Work 2008 and 2009 by the Dallas Business Journal, Corgan employs over 300 professionals in its offices in Dallas, New York, Phoenix, Miami, Sacramento, London and Beijing. As its design opportunities have expanded from local to international, Corgan has developed special expertise in corporate, aviation, medical, education and mission critical facility design as well as visualization services including animation effects. For more information visit Corgan on-line at www.Corgan.com.
About the Museum
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy; interprets and supports the Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark District and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza; and presents contemporary culture within the context of presidential history. Located at 411 Elm Street in the West End Historic District of downtown Dallas, the Museum is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday and 12 to 6 p.m. Monday. Audio guides for the permanent exhibit are available in seven languages, and a youth version is available in English. For more information, visit www.jfk.org or call 214-747-6660.
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