$50 raised by 1 donor
3% complete
$1,500 Goal
Our Goals
The Grand Prairie Historical Organization (GPHO) exists to preserve the stories, people, and places that make Grand Prairie unique. As a nonprofit, we are passionate about keeping our city’s history alive—not just in books, but through experiences that connect our community to its roots.
Through engaging speakers, community events, and partnerships with the city, schools, and civic groups, we bring history to life in meaningful ways. Our museum serves as a home for treasured artifacts and archives, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the legacy of Grand Prairie firsthand.
Every story we preserve today ensures that future generations will know where they came from—and why it matters.
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OUR FUNDRAISING WISH LIST
Rebuild the Goodwin Cabin
$100,000 – $120,000
We seek to rebuild the historic Goodwin Cabin in honor of our very own Jan Barrett, 2x great-granddaughter of Micajah Goodwin. Originally constructed in 1845 in the Watson Community of northwest Grand Prairie, the cabin served as the home of pioneer Micajah Goodwin and his family—one of the earliest settlers in the area.
In August 1975, the cabin was relocated to McFalls Park, where it stood as a treasured piece of local history for decades. It is even rumored that Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker once used the cabin as a hideout during their time in the area.
Tragically, in 2003, the cabin was destroyed by an act of arson. Today, we have the opportunity to bring this important piece of Grand Prairie’s history back to life. Rebuilding the Goodwin Cabin will create a powerful, hands-on educational experience for visitors and ensure that this early chapter of our city’s story is not lost to time.
Grand Prairie State Bank Exhibit
$8,000 – $10,000
Step back into one of Grand Prairie’s most dramatic moments in history. In 1934, the Grand Prairie State Bank was robbed by Ray Hamilton, Floyd Hamilton, and their accomplice John Basden.
This exhibit will recreate the bank setting, placing visitors in the middle of the action with a teller scene and life-size figures of the individuals involved. Through storytelling and immersive design, guests will experience this historic event in a way that is both educational and unforgettable.
Your support will help bring this exhibit to life—preserving a fascinating chapter of Grand Prairie’s past while creating an engaging experience for all who visit.
30' x 40' Building Extension
$300,000 – $400,000
The Grand Prairie Historical Museum has reached an exciting milestone—we have outgrown our space. As our collections, programs, and community involvement continue to grow, so does the need for additional room to serve our visitors effectively.
This building extension will allow us to expand our archive storage, create a more functional meeting space, improve office operations, and develop new exhibit areas that bring Grand Prairie’s history to life in engaging and meaningful ways.
With this expansion, we can preserve more history, host more programs, and welcome more of our community. Your support will help us grow into a space that matches the importance of the stories we are preserving.
The mission of the Grand Prairie Historical Organization (GPHO) is to preserve and share the history of Grand
Prairie, Texas, by researching, collecting, properly preserving, and archiving items that tell the history of Grand
Prairie and its citizens. The Organization will share the history with others through avenues throughout the city
by committed volunteers who will provide a standard of excellence in support of the organization.
The Grand Prairie Historical Organization operates the Grand Prairie Historical Museum, a vital space dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of our community. To continue serving school children, residents, and visitors, we rely on ongoing support to maintain and enhance our museum.
Funding is essential to cover basic operations such as utilities, as well as to invest in exhibit improvements, display furniture, and the acquisition of Grand Prairie memorabilia. We are also working to digitize historical documents, scrapbooks, and artifacts to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility.
In addition, we seek to expand our technological capabilities to capture audio and visual oral histories and provide public access to digitized collections. Increased funding will also allow us to grow awareness of the museum and expand programs that bring history to life for our community.
The Grand Prairie Historical Organization is committed to ensuring that the history we preserve and share reflects the full story of our community. We actively work to include and honor the diverse voices, cultures, and experiences that have shaped Grand Prairie, including historically significant communities such as Dalworth, Mosier Valley, Bear Creek, and others.
Through our programs, exhibits, and partnerships with local schools and community groups, we strive to make history accessible, welcoming, and meaningful for all. We believe every story matters, and we are dedicated to preserving those stories so that every member of our community can see themselves reflected in our shared history.
Organization name
Grand Prairie Historical Organization & Musuem
Causes
Arts & Humanities
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Dallas, Tarrant
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx
BIPOC Leadership
Neither/None
Address
1516 W Main St