Two historic buildings that have welcomed generations of Texans are once again entertaining visitors at Dallas Fair Park. Closed for the last 14 years, the Dallas Museum of Natural History is opening to the public on Sundays only during the World Cup. The museum spent decades teaching Texans a bout the state’s diverse wildlife. Former exhibit director Walt Davis said seeing people tour its halls again feels like coming home. “It reminded me of my first visit here when I was 3 years old,” Davis said. Built to celebrate the Texas Centennial, the museum’s taxidermy displays date back to the 1930s. Each diorama depicts native wildlife and painted landscapes. “It was lovingly done by human hands, depicting a state with a really wonderful natural history,” said Davis. More than 500 people showed up for last Sunday’s opening. “When they came through, they started telling each other stories about when they were children, brought their own children and grandchildren. It was like a big family reunion,” Davis said. The free viewings are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, July 5, July 12 and July 19. Volunteers with Texas Master Nationalists, who worked with Fair Park on the project, are on site to answer questions. Davis said he hopes the limited reopening will spur interest in a Texas the museum sought to capture. “Anything that we can do to encourage people to preserve it and respect it and enjoy it is a good thing,” Davis said. Also revived at Fair Park is the Old Mill Inn. Isaac Rousso, one of the concessionaires behind some of the most popular foods at the State Fair of Texas, has turned the landmark into a full-service bar and restaurant. “We’ve been eyeing this place for so long, we could see the potential, we just wanted to have a chance to bring it,” said son Joey Rousso. Outside, the water-powered paddlewheel is once again turning and inside hang old photos and relics of State Fair history, including belt buckles once worn by Big Tex. Open throughout the FIFA Fan Festival, the restaurant is already welcoming World Cup fans to its large patio to watch games. Later this summer, Rousso plans to unveil more details about what the pop-up concept will offer during the State Fair. He boasts that the patio offers the best view of Big Tex, and it will be an ideal place to share a bottle of wine. “This place is so unique and so original to the State Fair that Fair Park needed to have a restaurant,” Rousso said. ...read more read less