Glen Gatlin Oral History

I first met Glen Gatlin at the Texas Association of Museums annual meeting in 2003. I had just given a presentation about the Museum's Oral History Project, and Glen followed me into the conference center hallway to tell me that he had seen the Kennedy motorcade shortly before the assassination. Glen, a larger-than-life and remarkably charismatic character, was initially reluctant to visit the Museum for an oral history since he had avoided the site for many years. Fortunately, after recording this interview, he toured the Museum and was very impressed. I kept in touch with Glen and got to know him and his wife, Virginia, quite well. After the Museum began presenting live "Living History" conversations as educational and public programs, I frequently called on the Gatlins as guest speakers. Glen, often joined by Virginia, participated in a total of eight programs at the Museum between 2008 and 2017. When I invited the Gatlins back in 2019, I was deeply saddened when Virginia related that their health and mobility prevented them from doing any more programs. She wrote: "We have enjoyed the relationship with you and making this contribution... We are grateful for every minute we have spent with you and our listeners through these years." I will always treasure the time that I spent with the Gatlins over the course of fifteen years, all thanks to Glen following me down a hotel hallway in 2003. Glen Gatlin passed away on January 26, 2021. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator