Aldredge House
A historic house museum and the headquarters of the Alliance since 1974.
A Historic House Museum and a Medical Alliance
The Dallas County Medical Society Alliance Foundation — owner of Aldredge House since 1974 — carries the responsibility of preserving and maintaining the historic house, one of the most important domestic landmarks in Dallas. In a case of shared celebration, both the Alliance and the Aldredge House turned 100 years old in 2017. In 2018, the House was designated a Historic House Museum.
Aldredge House is the base from which the Alliance provides Dallas with health education and services. While outreach projects are usually presented in the neighborhoods they serve, the planning, presentations, and volunteer recruiting all happen here — which is why, in the medical community, Aldredge House is known as the Launchpad for the Alliance's health-related education and services.
1921
Aldredge Family Moves In
1974
Gifted to the Alliance
2017
Shared Centennial
2018
Historic House Museum
History of the House
A Mansion With Many Chapters
Built in 1917
The Original Owners
William J. and Willie Newberry Lewis were the home's original owners. Lewis came to Texas at fifteen and by thirty was a highly regarded cattleman. He married Willie Newberry in 1912 and commissioned architect Henry B. "Hal" Thomson — renowned for his European-based style — to build her a grand home. The young bride found the grandeur uncomfortable, and the couple soon moved to a lesser mansion on Gaston Avenue.
1921
The Aldredge Family
George N. and Rena Munger Aldredge moved into 5500 Swiss in 1921 with their four children. George chaired the executive committee of First National Bank and served as a director of Texaco; Rena was deeply involved in cultural affairs as a life trustee of the Dallas Museum of Art and a charter member of the Founders Garden Club.
Rena added two rooms to suit her passions — an art gallery/theater to display her collection and screen films she made herself, and a glass conservatory for which she hand-made over 2,600 tiles. She lived in the home until 1975, after donating it to the Alliance.
1974 – 1975
A Gift to the Community
In the early 1970s, Rena Munger Aldredge sought a nonprofit to permanently preserve her home and keep it a welcoming part of Dallas. She chose the Dallas County Medical Society Alliance — then searching for a headquarters — guided by past president and respected preservationist Lindalyn Adams. Visit aldredgehouse.org for more information.
— Aldredge House dedication, 1975
"…the enrichment of the community through the preservation of this landmark house and the tradition and heritage long associated with it."
Community Outreach
The Alliance welcomes nonprofits, musical organizations, schools, preservation and history groups to use Aldredge House Museum for their meetings and programs on a limited basis. Visit aldredgehouse.org for more information.