/internal/media/dispatcher/11691/fullVivian Castleberry's reporter's notebook from November 22, 196311/22/19639 1/4 x 4 3/4 x 5/8 in. (23.5 x 12.1 x 1.6 cm)Paper, Cardboard, MetalVivian Castleberry Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza1991.002.00010Eighteen page green Steno notebook used by Dallas Times Herald reporter/editor Vivian Castleberry on November 22, 1963. The notebook has a spiral binding at the top edge and a drawing of a pencil on the front cover. Most pages in the notebook are only written on one side, though some have writing on both sides of the page.
The notes at the beginning of the notebook are about Jacqueline Kennedy, her previous speeches, and her appearance and voice. Then there are notes describing the decor at the Trade Mart ahead of the luncheon, lists of table seating order and luncheon attendees and the appearance of the attendees.
On page 6 of the notebook are the notes "Press bursts through East door" and "Faces stark...drawn-" from the moment when news of the assassination started reaching the Trade Mart. The notes on the pages after this cover how the news was shared with the crowd by Erik Jonsson, the prayer led by Luther Holcomb, reactions of people present, drafts of sentences for Ms. Castleberry's articles, and people's names and addresses.
Pages 14 and 15 have notes on the circumstances and people present in Air Force One when President Johnson took the oath of office.
The last few pages have notes and quotes about President Johnson and hopes for the country in the future.
Documents6378212.065024130023.49504699014467Notebook1.5875031750Eighteen page green Steno notebook used by Vivian Castleberry, who was a reporter and women's news editor at the Dallas Times Herald from 1956 to 1984. The notebook has a spiral binding at the top edge; most pages in the notebook are only written on one side, though some have writing on both sides of the page.
On November 22, 1963, she was writing a story on Jacqueline Kennedy's day in Dallas and attended the Trade Mart luncheon where the Kennedys were scheduled to be in attendance.
In the beginning Castleberry writes about Jacqueline Kennedy, her previous speeches, her appearance, and her voice. Castleberry then describes the décor at the Trade Mart ahead of the luncheon. Her notes describe the seating order, attendees, and their appearances.
On page 6 of her notes, she writes "Press bursts through East door" and "Faces stark...drawn-" from the moment when news of the assassination first reached the Trade Mart. She writes that news of the assassination was shared to the crowd by Erik Jonsson, a leader in the local chamber of commerce. Next, she writes that a prayer was led by Luther Holcomb and details people’s reactions to the news. Castleberry drafted sentences for her upcoming articles and took people’s names and addresses.
Pages 14 and 15 have notes from a briefing by pool reporter, Sid Davis, on the circumstances and people present on Air Force One when President Johnson took the oath of office.
Her last few pages have notes and quotes about President Johnson and hopes for the country in the future.
ReporterTrade Mart luncheonAir Force OneAssassinationPressCastleberry, VivianJohnson, Lyndon B.Kennedy, John F.Kennedy, JacquelineDallas Times HeraldDallas Trade MartDallasThis object is featured in the Museum's special exhibit, "On Assignment: Dallas Times Herald 1963," which opened on April 29, 2026.A distinguished local journalist and award-winning women's news editor at The Dallas Times Herald, Castleberry always carried a reporter's notebook with her on assignment. Once a notebook was filled to capacity, it was typically discarded. This particular notebook from the weekend of the Kennedy assassination is the only one that Castleberry saved from her long career in journalism. - Stephen Fagin, Curator.Vivian Castleberry is considered the "grandmother of women journalists in Dallas." She was the longtime editor of women's news at the Dallas Times Herald. On the day of the assassination, she was waiting at the Trade Mart to cover First Lady Jackie Kennedy's visit to the city. After the shooting, Castleberry worked in the Times Herald newsroom and wrote several human-interest stories that weekend.
As a longtime friend of the Museum, she recorded several oral history interviews and programs. Her interview from June of 2015 may be viewed on the Museum’s online collection database here: Vivian Castleberry Oral History – Works – The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
More objects related to Mrs. Castleberry, including the Museum’s Vivian Castleberry Collection (1991.002) can be found here: Results – Advanced Search Objects – The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. - Riley Harris, Collections Cataloger