The Hall of State

Went here during state fair open. Great place artwork and details in the wall look great. Came here for a performance and was wonderful. This was a mexican heritage event there alot of candy clothing jewelry decor toys... all kinds of stuff.

So amazing 👏🏽! Loved the tour, loved the information given and all of the wonderful exhibits. They are free and supported by donations. The people are so sweet and informative. You can tell that they truly find value in their work.

As an architect, the Hall of State is a masterclass in Art Deco design and Texas symbolism. The 76-foot limestone columns and the 'Tejas Warrior' statue create an incredible sense of scale before you even step inside. Once in the Great Hall, the attention to detail is breathtaking—from the hand-stenciled Aztec-motif ceilings to the massive 12-foot gold leaf medallion. It’s rare to find a historical restoration so meticulously preserved. A must-visit for anyone who appreciates monumental architecture.

A uniquely placed museum exploring the history of Texas. It focuses particularly on the fight for independence, including historic flags carried into battle and the world's largest diorama of the battle of the Alamo. The central hall has huge murals of Texas history and mosaics of common state animals. The building itself is an art deco architectural marvel shaped like a T. The museum is typically free. There is street and lot parking nearby. The staff were very welcoming and informative.

Came with a field trip and was mesmerized by the beautiful art and architecture.

We attended a quinceañera here and it was absolutely gorgeous. Would love to attend another event here.

Free history museum in Dallas's Fair Park. Great for 1st time visitors as well as long time residents. The Alamo diorama was huge and detailed. The R.C Hickman photo gallery was really good and nicely dusplayed. I really enjoyed seeing all of the Juneteenth adveftisements and even the small excerpt on how & why the holiday declined in popularity. I had no idea it was an official state holiday since the 30s

Was attending a wedding at this beautiful and historic building. Even though I was there for an event, the staff are very knowledgeable about the history of the building and the Texas history it represented. I would definitely recommend not just visiting, but even having a future event at this location, the pictures don’t do it justice.

I was here for a volleyball ref'ing meeting. It was a decent facility. No complaints!! They used it for a picnic for us.

For those who have never been to the Texas State Fair or the Fair Park grounds for other reasons, this one building is reason enough to change that. One of many buildings designed and built for the Texas Centennial celebration in 1936. It is a stunning example of Art Deco architecture designed by Donald Barthelme. Dedicated to 4 centuries of Texas history it's one of the most beautiful interiors I've ever seen. Definitely go if you get the chance.

The State Fair of Texas has an amazing historical art deco building filled with artisan craft work, historical references, murals, and a layout that would have made the ancient Egyptians jealous. The Hall of State is that treasure of Dallas. It is fairly easy to visit during the State Fair of Texas. It can also be rented. The front and the sides of this limestone building have numerous carvings and recognize some of the heroes and founders of the Texas Republic. The grand steps on the Western entrance have been the show place for thousands of performers, dignitaries passing through and millions of kids enjoying events at Fair Park. It is a quiet place to sit and enjoy a corn dog or 3 at the fair. Once inside, the historical carvings of Texas heroes and legends greet you as they stand on pedestals. One can get tunnel vision studying these fine statues. It is easy to miss all of the other craft and art work from floor to ceiling in the Hall of Heroes. To their left and right are the rooms with murals depicting the history of the four cardinal directions of Texas. These rooms are frequently used for traveling shows and museums. I always imaged them being used for grand parties and balls. The crowning attraction is the Great Hall. The magnificent floor, wood carvings on the walls and ceiling, the amazing lighting make this room look like a long lost palace. I would love to see this room with nothing in it just to study and see all of the finer points. The events I've seen in here have been amazing, but always seems like this room should be used for white tie dinners, royal weddings, and other events of nobility. I frequented Fair Park for over 55 years and finally went into the lecture hall/theater/auditorium that lies below the Great Hall. This room has not lost the décor of the 1930-50's. It screams art deco with a twist of contemporary (of the 1950's). I watched a historical movie in here about WWI. I can not imagine seeing that movie anywhere else more fitting. The aroma was unique of various aromatic woods, old cloth and faint scents of old perfumes/colognes. In front of the theater are an old style coat room, reception desk and restrooms that harken back to the 1930's. The smoking porches on either side most likely hosted many interesting conversations since the 1930s. I honestly hope nothing in this grand work of art is ever modernized as this structure is perfect. It is the Hall of State of Texas in my eyes; Texas' Grand Palace.

Probably one of the coolest and least visited things in all of Dallas! This was built for the Texas Exposition and is basically a grand homage to Texas. The building tells the story of Texas history from vast spaces to the Texas Revolution. Their is usually just one person on duty ask the person to show you around you might get a good one that will give you the history. Otherwise got to the website listed and print out the descriptions for the rooms... http://www.hallofstate.com/tour/tour_map.htm Some day Dallas will realize what a gem this is and sink a little money into it so that people can more easily enjoy it... until then you have to work at it a little to get the full bang from it... but perhaps that just makes you enjoy it more. While you are here explore all the other buildings in Fair Park -- the largest collection of Exposition Art Deco buildings in the world -- Newly installed signs around the campus tell the history of the buildings Park also home to Dallas Children's Aquarium -- Recently re-done great exhibits allow you to see sharks and touch sting rays Dallas Garden --- cool indoor butterfly exhibit with butterfly s from all over the world If you can plan to be in town for the State Fair that is when you really see this place come to life.

The most beautiful art deco building in Fair Park, dedicated to honoring the fine state of Texas. This is an annual pilgrimage we look forward to at the State Fair of Texas. And the perfect choice for our July 2011 wedding ceremony and reception. We were surprised at how affordable this place was. We did, however, have to use their vendors for catering, linens, and cake. Because of this, the price inched up pretty fast. but we kept the communication open with the Hall and the vendors, and we were able to stay in budget. Food glorious food was the caterer, and Beth was our coordinator. We had to use Frosted Art Bakery. Each person/vendor involved was amazing! So helpful, and made the day go so smoothly. We continue to visit the Hall each year, and love walking by reminiscing about our fairy tale wedding day at this beautiful locale. Just a tip: it is a historical building, and the a/c in some parts of the hall don't cool as well as others. Also, there are restrictions on what you can use, in regards to decor. no dripping candles.

This beautiful building is open year round. Take DART green line to the Fair Park station and a 1/2 mile walk up the beautfull fountain lined esplanade take you to the Hall of State. This is an architectural gem. The building is the exhibt, with frescos and statutes of Texas heroes. But look at the details -- the beautiful wood doors, the light fixtures, the windows. Look at the angles. Even for a prosaic guy like me, this is real beauty. Oh yeah, and I'm a sucker for Texana too. Go from here further into the park for other museums and the aquarium. No admission fee.

Absolutely Gorgeous venue, I went there for a wedding and loved it. The salon is beautifully decorated and has a high ceiling and spacious dance floors. Right outside is a beautiful pool that makes for a good picture background. The downsides: it's not clear from which gate we should enter the fairpark, several of us including cabs and uber cars were lost and had to turn around several times. When you get inside, there's not enough signage to get to the hall. Another major downside is the restrooms. They are in the lower floor and are soo sketchy and scary. Nothing consistent with the gorgeous hall upstairs.

This is a beautiful historical venue. One of the better ones and most of all at Fair Part!! My personal experiences having played in the Cotton bowl as a college athlete, enriches this experience. Beyond that, the automotive shows and various events show this venues usefulness. There's a certain aspect of the Greco-Roman devour that throws a curve of what your expect from Texas as a state that was was considered the Republic of Texas at one time. Purpose for my visit was a viewing for a wedding party . so that makes this place even more attractive to visitors and many different families and organizations. I'm impressed to say the least.

You must see this! A beautiful building embellished with Art Deco design in the murals, stained glass windows, and even the floor tiles. The facade alone is enough to beckon anyone into its doors. With names of Texas heroes carved into the neoclassical, exterior architecture, the interior is mirrored with statues honoring those brave souls in Texas history. Every mural that demonstrates a pivotal role in our state's history that shaped it into what it is today, makes you a tinge sentimental to call yourself a Texan. Upon entering the grand building you are overcome with the nave that directs your eyes directly to the focal point of the Hall of State - a over-sized, blazing star. You can't help but look at this alter dedicated to the Lone Star State. As you leave you walk away with a feeling that there really isn't a state quite like ours.

I was biking through a completely desolate Fair Park when I came upon this gem! WOW, absolutely gorgeous building from the 1930s- true Art Deco style! The building is a basically a building with a story- built for the '36 Exposition to celebrate the great State of Texas. It's many murals, custom bronze door grates, and huge gold emblem tell an interesting story of Texas that is worth a look! It is very sad that this not more of a museum. It would be a fabulous place to have a wedding, though! The little old man-slash security-slash curator was a bit annoying giving us more information about the building than we could digest in one trip!

The Hall of State is a welcomed site in Fair Park. When you walk into its giant metal and glass doors, you feel like you've walked into a beautiful downtown museum. It was built by the State of Texas for the 1936 Centennial celebration and has withstood the test of time! The Hall of Heroes is overwhelming and marble and stone materials throughout offer a opulent experience and cause your eye to wander throughout the space. The pièce de résistance is the huge Texas Star in the Great Hall. It will make anyone proud to be a Texan!

OMG! Well I must say this place is beautiful. Went here for a wedding and its just breath taking! A must see. The parking is a little weird cause you can get lost. However outside out that, once your in, your in! I will not disclose much here, because you must see it with your own eyes! I was truly impressed I must say!!!!

As my fellow Yelpers have said, this is a great, beautiful, and lonely building at Fair Park. I attended a wedding here over Memorial Day weekend and the whole event was gorgeous. The golden Seal of Texas was a great backdrop for the ceremony and the reception and the Great Depression-era wall murals made from interesting art to observe as we waited for the bride and groom to make their entrance. I thought the venue was perfect for a small to medium size wedding. There's enough room for a buffet line, the cake table, all the regular tables, a DJ/band, and a sizable dance floor. If you are considering The Hall of State for your wedding, I would recommend it! And the next time I go to Dallas, I will be back at the Hall to check out all the cool artifacts from Texas history.

This place is awesome! As Greg S. says, The Hall of State is woefully undervisited and undercurated. But that doesn't make it any less cool! The huge Texan murals in the WPA-regionalist style are super fantastic, as are all of the old Texan relics. Visiting Fair Park at non-fair time was really cool too, because you just felt like you were in these incredible abandoned ruins of some fabulous 1930s city that is totally wild and Texanic and larger than life. I wish we could have knocked around some of the other Fair Park attractions, but even a quick trip to the Hall of State is totally worth it.

Nice location to host events first time we been here other than for the state fair. We came for the Artopia event. Restrooms were clean which is a bonus.

I thoroughly enjoyed the history of Big Tex as well as the history of Texas in the Hall Of State.

When we began looking for wedding venues in Dallas that were affordable, we felt discouraged very quickly. The Hall of State was the first place we visited in person and we fell in love instantly. The building gives all the pomp and circumstance that a large church wedding may have without.. you know.. a church wedding. We elected to have our ceremony and reception in the same room. They flipped the room in 30 minutes and we had an amazing evening. My initial wedding coordinator was a delight, but she unfortunately changed jobs before the wedding actually happened. The new coordinator was sweet and very helpful as well. My only complaint is she chose to wear a bright fuschia t-shirt the day of my wedding so my photographer had to photoshop her out of a few pictures. The building is well maintained, clean and beautiful. All the deco details and architecture make for a lot of visual interest and really, we didn't do any decorating aside from flowers. The options for weddings are endless (did you know you can get fireworks from the cotton bowl? if you've got that kind of cash, that is...) and it's also a great place for large corporate parties (my company had one a few years back). If you decide on fancy uplighting, be forewarned that the seal room gets VERY warm VERY quickly... my cake started melting and everyone was sweating, but we had a great time anyway!