Lee Harvey Oswald

Lee Harvey Oswald, a temporary employee at the Texas School Book Depository building, was arrested by Dallas police officers within ninety minutes of the Kennedy assassination. Hours later he was charged with the murders of Officer J.D. Tippit and President John F. Kennedy. During the weekend of the assassination, Dallas investigators built what they considered to be a strong case against Oswald, linking him to physical evidence found on the sixth floor of the Depository and near the Tippit shooting scene. However, Oswald never had the opportunity to stand trial for these accused crimes. During a routine prisoner transfer on Sunday, November 24, 1963, local nightclub owner Jack Ruby murdered Oswald on live television in the basement of Dallas police headquarters. The act, which sent shockwaves around the world, ensured that questions would forever linger about Lee Harvey Oswald. What was his motivation? Did he act alone? Discussion, debate, and speculation continue to the present day. The Museum’s collection of Oswald-related materials includes documents, photographs, films, oral histories and artifacts.