Wes Wise Oral History

Object number1993.011.0022

Date01/25/1993

ClassificationsOral Histories

Oral history interview subject Wes Wise

Oral history interviewer Bob Porter

ObjectOral history

Credit LineOral History Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

MediumHi-8 videotape

Dimensions97 Minutes

Terms

Collections

DescriptionVideotaped oral history interview with Wes Wise. Mayor of Dallas from 1971 to 1976, Wise in 1963 was a broadcaster at CBS affiliate KRLD-TV in Dallas and president of the Dallas Press Club. He spoke with Jack Ruby in Dealey Plaza the day after the Kennedy assassination. Previously, in October 1963, Wise captured on film the accosting of U.N. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson in Dallas. From 1992 to 1997, Wise was a consultant and interviewer with 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.

Curatorial Commentary

Wes Wise passed away on December 9, 2022. As discussed during this oral history, Wise was an early supporter of The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. From 1992 to 1997, he was a consultant and interviewer for the Museum's newly-launched Oral History Project; he conducted video interviews with a number of notable community leaders including J. Erik Jonsson (who preceded Wise as mayor of Dallas), Stanley Marcus, John Stemmons and Tom Landry.

I first met Wes Wise a few years into my employment at The Sixth Floor Museum. By that time, I had heard his voice on dozens of oral histories, and I was really in awe of him. He proved to be a valued friend for nearly twenty years, recording a new oral history with me in 2005 and returning to the Museum for a number of public programs. I even had the great pleasure of being interviewed alongside Wes for a half-hour program that aired in 2013 on the Dallas PBS station, KERA. Our full conversation may be viewed here: JFK: The Dallas Perspective and The Sixth Floor Museum - YouTube. I will always regret that Wes and I never had an opportunity work side by side as interviewers in the recording of an oral history. Wes had expressed interest in working with me to record an interview with art collector and civic leader Raymond D. Nasher, but unfortunately, Mr. Nasher passed away in March 2007 before we could schedule the oral history. - Stephen Fagin, Curator

Curatorial Commentary

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