Back by popular demand, Tom Landry: The Personal Collection will be on exhibit at The Hall of State at Fair Park until February 6, 2011. “More than 120,000 visitors saw the exhibit during the Fair but we know there must be thousands more who did not attend the Fair or could not wait in the long lines,” said Dallas Historical Society Chairman Max Wells.  “We are thrilled that Mrs. Landry is allowing us to display the collection again and has added some additional memorabilia to the display. We are grateful to Oncor for their continuing support.” 

The trademark fedora hat he wore during Cowboy games, various championship game balls and trophies and rarely seen family photographs are among the many items on display.  The collection documents his early years, his time as an undergraduate and star of the gridiron at the University of Texas, his military service, his time as a player and coach for the New York Giants, the 28 years as coach of the Dallas Cowboys, his life following the Cowboys, and his legacy.

“I was extremely touched as I watched people go through the exhibit,” Mrs. Landry said.  “Most took time to look at every part of the collection, not just the Cowboy years. I wanted them to know Tommy, the man, whose deep personal faith guided his life, as well as Coach Landry.” 

“Oncor is proud that we can offer this memory of Tom Landry to the north Texas community as well as to visitors here for the Cotton Bowl and Super Bowl games,” said Brenda Jackson, Chief Customer Officer for Oncor.  “Tom Landry had such a significant impact on Dallas and all of North Texas – where all of our customers and employees live and work – that we were excited to be the sponsor during the State Fair.  With the tremendous success of that event, it’s clear that his impact continues so, of course, we were happy to support this again.  Not only so those who didn’t see it the first time have an opportunity to experience the Tom Landry exhibit, but so the thousands of visitors who will be in Dallas during the games can also see what he had such an impact on our community.”

Tom Landry was asked by Clint Murchison, Jr., to be the first coach of the Dallas Cowboys, a position he held from 1960 to 1988.  During that time, he coached 20 consecutive winning seasons and achieved two Super Bowl titles.  Few may know that he was a B-17 co-pilot during World War II, or that he held a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from the University of Houston as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas.  Throughout his life, he was a committed family man and a man of deep faith.  

The exhibit will be open during the Hall of State’s normal hours – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday and from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday and on Christmas Day from 1-5 p.m. and New Year’s Day from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Admission is $2 for adults with children under 12 and members of the Dallas Historical Society free.   

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