Porch Stories
Make Your Mark on Dallas Porch History!
Porches have long played a part in American history. Whether thinking about the front porch for socializing, or the back porch for snapping beans, listening to a radio ballgame, or relaxing after Sunday dinner, porches tend to evoke a feeling of warmth and welcome. If porches could talk, the stories would be rich with tales of friendship, families, and love.
Porches play a memorable role in life’s special moments. Seen here a newly engaged couple on the west Library porch at the Alexander Mansion. Photo by JoshuaK Photography.
As we have all weathered these unusual times in 2020 together, porches have regained a popularity not experienced in many years. Families are on their porches again in unprecedented numbers – enjoying the fresh air, waving to neighbors, and watching their children play. Once more, porches have provided a much needed feeling of respite, warmth, laughter, love, and welcome.
Share Your Porch Story
We’d like to give voice to our porches by welcoming YOUR porch stories (past or present), which will be compiled and shared on our website to commemorate the Alexander Mansion’s 2020 Porch Restoration.
To get a taste of what we’re talking about, please enjoy this porch story Porch Memories, submitted by Ben Harrison.
The childhood home of Ben Harrison.
If only porches could talk… Maybe, just this once, they can!
To submit your porch story and/or porch pictures, please email them to [email protected]. Video stories are also welcome and should be no longer than 2 minutes in length.
Note: To allow us to publish your story, a Photography, Images and Other Content Release Form must be reviewed and signed with all submissions. Please fill out form and email to [email protected].
The Porches of the Alexander Mansion
Many friendships have blossomed in the warmth of the east sun porch at the home of The Dallas Woman’s Forum.
The Dallas Woman’s Forum has a long history of providing services, warmth and welcome to the Dallas community. In celebration of the strength and survival spirit of our families and friends, the Dallas Woman’s Forum is extending an invitation to everyone for a special opportunity to become an everlasting part of Dallas porch history.
The Alexander Mansion in Dallas, Texas, built in 1906
The Alexander Mansion is one of the last remaining Ross Avenue mansions built in the early 1900’s in Dallas. This lovely mansion is used for many community and charitable events.
The Dallas Woman’s Forum is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the mansion. Recently it was discovered that the back porch of the Alexander Mansion is in need of some very urgent and costly repairs, which, if left unattended, could result in an impact to the home itself down the road.
Help Restore the Porches
The Dallas Woman’s Forum is seeking help from our friends and neighbors (near and far) to raise the funds necessary for the repairs. We invite you to make your mark on Dallas porch history by sponsoring a part of the Alexander Mansion porch repair. A wide variety of sponsorship levels are available to meet everyone’s giving preferences. All contributors will receive a Certificate of Recognition, and the names of the donors will be recorded in the history of the Alexander Mansion.
Extensive restoration work was done on the west Library porch in 2019.
Skilled woodworkers and painters restore historic details on roof eaves and columns on west Library Porch at the Alexander Mansion.
Donation Levels
Suggested donation levels are listed below. However, if these levels do not fit your porch style, please know that donations of any amount are greatly appreciated! Every dollar brings us closer to our goal!
Come join us for some porch talk!
Bean Snapping Level – $50
Sweet Tea Sippin’ Level – $100
Porch Rocker Level – $250
Shootin’ the Breeze Level – $1000
Porch Rail Level – $2500
Texas Charm Level – $5000
Donations can be made online through our Donation page, or via check mailed to:
The Dallas Woman’s Forum
P.O. Box 140997
Dallas, TX 75214-0997
Please designate “Porch Restoration” and your sponsorship level under “Add special instructions” section of the donation page (see below) when submitting your donation.