Videotaped oral history interview with Wes Wise. Mayor of Dallas from 1971 to 1976, Mr. Wise was a reporter for KRLD-TV in Dallas in 1963 and president of the Dallas Press Club. He spoke with Jack Ruby in Dealey Plaza the day after the assassination. Previously, in October of 1963, Mr. Wise captured on film a protestor striking U.N. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson with a sign during a visit to Dallas. From 1992 to 1997, Mr. Wise served as a consultant and primary interviewer for the Museum's Oral History Project.

Interview conducted at Mr. Wise's home on January 25, 1993 by Bob Porter. The interview is one hour and thirty-seven minutes long.

The video attached to this record is an excerpt. The entire interview is available in our Reading Room to on-site researchers or by submitting a Rights & Reproductions Request Form.

As a researcher and consultant to the Oral History Project at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Mr. Wise served as the primary interviewer during the recording of more than one hundred interviews between 1992 and 1997. His interview subjects included former Dallas mayor J. Erik Jonsson; community leaders John Stemmons, Stanley Marcus, and Joe M. Dealey; and Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry.

In addition to this 1993 oral history, Mr. Wise recorded a follow-up interview on September 22, 2005. He also participated in three videotaped programs at the Museum, recorded between 1998 and 2008. - Stephen Fagin, Curator

Wes Wise as one of those who understood the importance of saving the Texas School Book Depository building.  In the '60s and early '70s, many people in Dallas, embarassed and stung by unfair criticism of the city for the death of President Kennedy, wanted the building torn down.  One investor wanted to build a parking lot at the site.  Upon learning of that proposal, Wise encouraged the Dallas city council to freeze any demolition permit requests.  That delaying tactic led to further discussions that ultimately helped prevent anyone from destroying the building. - Gary Mack, Curator