Woodbine Hotel – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Day 1: Dallas Historical Tour–Tessa Fendley

I, and other students involved in the L.E.A.P program, set off on our adventure to Dallas around noon this Friday afternoon, stopping along the way to visit the esteemed Woodbine Hotel for lunch, which is known for making delicious meals slathered in mushrooms. I ordered the alfredo pasta with vegetables, and it was delightful. The mushrooms were all that they had been hyped to be. We set off again after lunch, full and anxious to continue on to Dallas.

We arrived at the JFK 6th Floor Museum and quickly began our tour. We exlored the early campaigning techniques of JFK, focusing partly on how he used his youth to his advantage, as well as having the opportunity to have one the first televised presidential debates. This may have proved decisive, as he won by a small margin.

What I thought was very interesting was learning more about the public works programs he established, specifically the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is government funded mission work, originally established by JFK to send service people to foreign countries to try and aid in what he hoped would be the eradication of Communism. Eventually JFK decided that these measures alone were not enough and the program was expanded. For me, this was very inspirational and hit close to home, as I hope to one day become involved in the Peace Corps.

Next we ventured on to dinner, and from there to the Dallas Museum of Art. There were many interesting things to be seen here. There was art work by well-known artists such as Picasso to anonymous, cultural artifacts from all over the globe. My favorite exhibit by a wide margin was the African artifacts. I particularly enjoyed seeing and learning about the different types of hats and masks that were worn in Africa…

My favorite was a hat that doubles as a mask…

The Museum also had an African map, designating the location the artifacts were collected.

For a freshman who wishes to do volunteer work in Africa as a junior, it was an exciting preview of things to come! And in that spirit, we left the Museum and headed to the hotel, equally anticipatory of the second day of our trip.

Day 1: Dallas Historical Tour–Ariel Traub

Today was day one of our journey to Dallas for the New Politics Forum Careers in Politics Seminar at Southern Methodist University (SMU). As we had several stops on our itinerary, we departed SHSU at 12:00pm for Madisonville, where we would have lunch at the Woodbine Hotel.

The Woodbine Hotel, located in the heart of Madisonville, offers local specialties on its lunch menu. The atmosphere of the Woodbine was very inviting and warm and the food was delicious. The table was neatly set and there were cookies awaiting us as well. Several of the dishes showcased mushrooms since Madisonville is known for their mushroom farms and annual mushroom festival.

Departing The Woodbine, we set out for the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, Texas. The drive was rocky due to thunderstorms; however, we managed to arrive safely. We embarked on our tour of the wonderful life and struggles of President John F. Kennedy. The Museum was set up to follow John F. Kennedy’s presidency chronologically. The tour started with his background and his family, then quickly moved to focus on issues that President Kennedy faced during his term, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Civil Rights Movement.

The majority of the tour, however, focused on President Kennedy’s assassination. The exhibits were very detailed, with examples and models that explained how and where the assassination took place. There were several videos throughout the exhibit that went into further detail about his presidency and the aftermath of the assassination.

The seventh floor of the Museum held a presidential photograph display. There were multiple candid photos of presidents throughout their presidencies. My favorite was of President Barack Obama enjoying a taco at a small diner while talking to the citizens in the diner!

We then ventured out to Dealy Plaza, President Kennedy’s assassination site. We were able to view the “x” marks on the road marking the exact spot where President Kennedy was shot both times. The Museum was a very enlightening experience that really opened my eyes to the complexity of the Kennedy Presidency.

Next, we arrived at The Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner. The atmosphere was comparable to an old circus with a train car in the middle of the dining room in which customers could sit and eat. Fortune telling machines and bright colors decorated the interior of the restaurant’s entryway. My meal, and dessert, was very delicious, and the portions were enormous!

Last, we made an impromptu stop at the Dallas Museum of Art. We toured the different levels of the museum, each focusing on a different type of art, ranging from African art to Picasso.

My favorite painting was “Conversion of St. Paul” by Benjamin West. This painting explained the journey of St. Paul and was both moving and provocative.

I can’t wait for day two of our wonderful adventure!

Day 1: Dallas Historical Tour–Zach Goodlander

Broadening our horizons is what most college students want to accomplish during their education, but most don’t get the opportunity to do so. After just one day in Dallas, however, seven SHSU students are getting just such an opportunity.

This is my first educational field trip at SHSU, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thus far, it’s been great, offering me the opportunity to meet fellows students (now new friends!) with similar interests as myself.

Our first stop was lunch at “The Woodbine” in Madisonville, where I ordered the grilled Chicken Alfredo. The Woodbine is also a bed and breakfast and a very well preserved building of the Victorian era. Its historic look and the fine food already have me wondering about a return trip in the future.

From there we trudged north, through rain, and arrived at Dealey Plaza, the site of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. The Sixth Floor Museum is so named because it was the sixth floor from which Oswald shot the President.

The Museum is well done, with audio accompaniment and thousands of artifacts showcasing the Kennedy era—the Cold War, Civil Rights, and, of course, the assassination. It’s disconcerting to move from the “Kennedy Family” exhibit to the “Assassination” exhibit, and have the tour change from an upbeat history to the terror of a presidential killing. The sniper’s nest used by Oswald is amazingly well preserved, so much so that this section seems frozen in time.

The most interesting section was the Kennedy Funeral. Not only did Kennedy’s death mark an end to an era—the end of Camelot—but, as a Catholic, I felt a personal connection to the funeral ceremony, which honored the life of the first and, thus far, only Catholic President.

The Museum offered a special exhibit on presidential photographs. We saw photos of Harding shaking hands with Babe Ruth…

…Nixon meeting Elvis…

…but none, unfortunately, of my favorite President, Calvin Coolidge (editor’s note: for good reason)…

After a stop at Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner, we headed to the Dallas Museum of Art. The Museum has floors dedicated to various exhibits, from the “Art of the Americas” to the “Art of Europe” and art from India, Africa, Greece, and other civilizations. I’m not astute art admirer, but there were some names I recognized: Rodin, Monet, and Picasso. But my favorite was “The Adoration of the Shepherds” by Paolo de Matteis.

As I wrap up my first day on my first trip I look to ahead to broader horizons and more opportunities in the form of the New Politics Forum’s Careers in Politics Seminar at SMU.

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