Thanks-Giving Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thanks-Giving Square |
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Thanks-Giving Square Mosaic
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| Type | Private Park and Public Facility |
| Location | Dallas, Texas, US |
| Created | 1976 |
| Operated by | The Thanks-Giving Foundation |
| Open | All year |
Thanks-Giving Square is a special park in downtown Dallas, Texas. It's a place where people can feel thankful and peaceful. The park opened in 1976. It includes a beautiful garden, a unique chapel, and parts of an underground walkway system. It was the first project of its kind in Dallas, where a private group worked with the city.
A Dallas businessman named Peter Stewart helped start the Thanks-Giving Foundation. He searched worldwide for an architect to design the park. He chose Philip Johnson because he felt Johnson understood how to create a building with deep meaning.
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A Special Project for Dallas
The Thanks-Giving Foundation wanted to create a public space in Dallas. This space would be dedicated to showing gratitude and celebrating the idea of thanksgiving.
The city of Dallas worked with the Foundation. Construction began in 1973. Thanks-Giving Square officially opened in November 1976. It was one of three projects in Dallas celebrating the United States Bicentennial (200 years since the country's founding). Later, President Gerald Ford called Thanks-Giving Square an important national landmark. People from all backgrounds and beliefs are welcome here. It's a quiet place to think about values, thoughts, and spirituality.
At the same time, the City of Dallas built roads and tunnels under the garden. The city rents the land from the Thanks-Giving Foundation. However, the city owns the structures built underground.
The Garden, Chapel, and Grounds
Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Philip Johnson designed Thanks-Giving Square. The park is set about 15 feet (4.5 meters) below street level. A four-foot (1.2 meter) wall blocks the view of cars. This helps create a calm, green space. Water features like fountains are important here. They help cover up city noises.
The park's decorations do not show any specific religious symbols. Instead, granite markers have quotes from different holy texts. The 100th Psalm is often seen in quotes and messages. These are shared by Hindu, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders. You can see mosaics, stained glass, and other art throughout Thanks-Giving Square.
Court of All Nations
At the west end of the park is the Court of All Nations. This is the main entrance. It has the Wall of Praise, which features part of Psalms 100. You can also see Norman Rockwell's "Golden Rule" mosaic here. The Ring of Thanks is a 14-foot (4.2-meter) wide aluminum ring. It is covered in 23-carat gold leaf. Visitors can walk through this ring. After that, they pass under a 50-foot (15-meter) Bell Tower. This tower has three bronze bells shaped like the Liberty Bell.
Center Court of Praise
In the middle of the garden is the Center Court of Praise. This area is inspired by public gathering places around the world. Special events are held here to celebrate "gratitude on the move." These events include speeches, songs, and dances. The aluminum and gold ring and nearby text refer to the message from Psalm 100. This area often hosts special events, memorial services, and citywide prayer gatherings. An example is the one held after the 2016 shooting of Dallas police officers.
The Grove
The Grove is a garden area. It is designed for quiet thought and meditation. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush dedicated the Wall of Presidents. This special display celebrates the words of prayer and thanksgiving from American presidents.
Hall of Thanksgiving
Below the chapel is the Hall of Thanksgiving. This hall tells the story of the American Thanksgiving tradition. It is a place for exhibitions, meetings, and learning at Thanks-Giving Square. Important guests are welcomed here. It also hosts talks, meetings between different faiths, and educational programs. You can see items like the Book of Prayers and presidential announcements on display.
Chapel of Thanksgiving
The Chapel of Thanksgiving is the spiritual heart of Thanks-Giving Square. It is open to visitors of all faiths. The chapel spirals upwards 90 feet (27.5 meters) above the street. This shape suggests the human spirit reaching endlessly upward. The chapel's design is inspired by the Great Mosque of Samarra in Iraq. It also takes ideas from the ancient spiral of life.
You enter the chapel by walking across a 125-foot (38-meter) bridge. This bridge goes over a waterfall. The chapel ceiling has the "Glory Window," a large stained-glass piece. It is one of the biggest horizontally mounted stained-glass artworks in the world. The 73 panels of glass were designed by Gabriel Loire from Chartres, France. The colors become warmer and brighter as the spiral reaches its center. The window appeared in the 2011 movie The Tree of Life. Above the entrance door is an etched glass window called "The Spirit of Thanksgiving." It was designed by John Hutton. Art by Bjørn Wiinblad is also on display. Visitors are encouraged to write down something they are thankful for when they enter.
Gallery of Thanks-Giving Square Art and Architecture
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Center Court of Praise
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Thanks-Giving Square fountains
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Bell Tower and Ring of Thanks
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Exterior of the Chapel of Thanksgiving
Dallas Pedestrian Network
A main part of the Dallas Pedestrian Network is located one level below the garden. This network connects several nearby buildings. Its corridors have restaurants and shops. Because it was built at the same time as the garden above, it has skylights and wide walkways. There are also colorful open areas that make you forget you are underground. The part of the network under Thanks-Giving Square is run by the City of Dallas. You can enter the network from the Center Court of Praise during business hours. Escalators bring you to street level at Bullington Street. This street is a pedestrian area and connects to the Bullington-Akard Skywalk. Some access points to the network have been closed since 2016.
See also
- Thanksgiving Square (Belfast)
