Friends of the Irving Museums

08/20/2026

Senior Day Bike Ride, 1965

The Class of 1965 from Irving High launched their senior day celebrations with an early morning group bicycle ride to school. In this photo they are on St. Clair Dr., off of Pioneer Dr. near MacArthur, where they stopped to pick up one of their classmates.

What were your senior class traditions?

08/13/2026

The Elm School, 1935-1936

The Elm community was located between today's O'Connor Rd. and MacArthur Blvd., north of Highway 183 and south of Northgate Dr. The community had its own elementary school for many decades - this photo shows the Elm School and its student body in 1935-36. The IISD took in the Elm School in 1948, and Irving annexed the Elm community area during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

08/06/2026

Summer Fun at Senter Park, 1958

Irvingites take a cooling plunge in the Senter Park swimming pool in 1958. The pool opened in 1954. 70 years later, the facility is being redesigned as a year-round indoor aquatic center.

How else do you beat the heat?

08/04/2026

08/01/2026

Announcement! We met our financial goal for this event! We couldn’t have done it without everyone who participated!! Thank you!
Our Big State Sign Fundraiser!
MacArthur fire truck team and and Irving Symphonic Band are in the house!

07/30/2026

Treasure Hunt in Irving, c. 1957

Details for this photo are hard to come by. Does anyone know more? Apparently, a civic organization hosted a treasure hunt for Irving's children, and all that was required was that each child show up with his or her own shovel. In this photo, children storm the field where the treasures are buried.

07/29/2026

📣 MEET OUR EMCEE FOR "1st & 10: GO BIG STATE!" 🏈

We are thrilled to introduce the incredible host bringing the energy, hype, and community spirit to our Pep Rally Fundraiser for the Sign this Saturday, August 1st!

Please give a big round of applause for our Emcee: David Cole! 🎉

🍕 David Cole | Co-Founder & Owner, i Fratelli Pizza

David Cole is a true Irving legend! Along with his brothers, David co-founded i Fratelli Pizza right here in Irving back in 1987. A proud MacArthur High School alumnus, David and the i Fratelli team were recently honored with the Texas Icon Corporate Award for their decades of service and giving back to local schools, coaches, and community causes. We are honored to have his passion for Irving leading our stage on Saturday!

🎟️ Don't miss out—get your tickets today!

With live music from the Irving Symphonic Band, performances by the Heritage Dance Academy, root beer floats, photo booth fun, and our $2,500 Match Challenge, this is a Saturday afternoon you won't want to miss!

- When: Saturday, August 1 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Where: Irving Archives and Museum Lobby

👉 Get your tickets here! https://cityofirving.rezgo.com/details/429796/1st-10-go-big-state-a-pep-rally-fundraiser

Limited lobby seating available—grab yours before they're gone! 🎟️✨

07/24/2026

Pep Rally Announcement: Meet Our Live Entertainment! 🎺🥁✨

A true community Pep Rally needs a fantastic lineup, and we are so proud to partner with local performers who give their heart, time, and talent to make a difference right here in Irving!

We are excited to announce our featured entertainment for 1st & 10: GO BIG State!:

🎺 The Irving Symphonic Band – Bringing nostalgic charm to the lobby with classic Americana, traditional marches, and beloved Irving school fight songs!

💃 Heritage Dance Academy – Showcasing amazing choreography from talented dancers right here from our local community studio!

📣 MacArthur High School "Firetruck Crew" – Bringing high-octane school spirit to rally the crowd!

Come enjoy the live music, grab a hot dog and a root beer float, and double your impact through our $2,500 match challenge. Let’s bring this historic sign home together!

🎟️ Get your tickets today! Click the link to grab yours and support the campaign to save the Big State Fountain sign! https://cityofirving.rezgo.com/details/429796/1st-10-go-big-state-a-pep-rally-fundraiser

07/23/2026

Highway 183, 1964

This view of Highway 183 in 1964 looks east from near the O'Connor intersection. The 183 Drive-In Theater, which stood at Britain Road, can be seen in the background on the right side of the highway.

What's the last drive in movie you went to? Did you ever go to the 183 Drive-In Theater?

07/17/2026

Pep Rally Announcement: Fuel Up for the Big Game with Austin’s Underdawgs & Root Beer Floats!

Friends, to celebrate the spirit of community and the nostalgic history of the Big State Fountain, we are bringing you a lineup of classic, crowd-pleasing stadium eats.

First up, we are incredibly excited to welcome Austin’s Underdawgs to the event! This caterer with a heart-warming backstory will be on-site serving up their premium gourmet hot dogs—the ultimate game-day comfort food to get everyone in the pep rally spirit.

And because we are working to restore a historic soda fountain landmark, no celebration would be complete without a sweet trip down memory lane. We will be whipping up frosty, classic Root Beer Floats for everyone to enjoy! It’s the perfect ice-cold treat to toast to Irving’s history.

Best of all, every ticket purchased and every extra treat you enjoy helps us push closer to unlocking our matching gift challenge! When you join us, you aren't just enjoying a great afternoon of food and fun—you are helping us carry the Big State Sign campaign over the goal line.

Our advance tickets are available now for $20 ($25 at the door). Grab yours today and let’s make this a victory for our community!

Click here to purchase your Pep Rally fundraiser tickets today!