The Dickey Museum and Multipurpose Center will honor and celebrate Dickey Day, their annual celebration of the birthday and legacy of Dr. James Lee Dickey, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Fannie Robinson Park Pavilion, 206 S. Dolan St. This year, the first since Dickey’s historic home was destroyed by arson last summer, Dickey Day will be cosponsored by the City of Taylor and the Blackshear/O.L. Price Ex-Students Association in order to display banners promoting the event on City-owned property, such as Heritage Square and the Taylor welcome signs.
The Taylor City Council approved this partnership at their regular meeting Oct. 27. This will “allow there to be greater attention to drawn to the fundraising efforts to rebuild the Dickey house that was so tragically lost to fire this year,” said Main Street Manager Jan Harris at the meeting. “They just want to keep the idea of Dr. James Dickey’s efforts, and what they are trying to do to draw more attention to their efforts to rebuild the house, and to put things on to the visibility of city property would be a great asset to what they are trying to do.” The event will feature a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings, as well as a health fair with booths featuring health districts, non-profits, and small business owners which advocate for wellness and good health.
“We will celebrate the life of a man who was an advocate for community, health care and civil rights in Taylor, and was 1952 Citizen of the Year,” according to organizers. “We will celebrate a man who was recognized during his life work for numerous things, but most of all, his tireless efforts to improve the lives of Taylor African Americans in Williamson County, while also serving Bell, Milam, Travis and Bastrop counties as a physician.”
According to city documents, “Dr. Dickey (18931959) was an advocate for health care and civil rights in Taylor and was recognized for his tireless efforts to improve the lives of African Americans there. He created a vaccination program to fight a typhoid fever outbreak that occurred in 1933 and established a prenatal and venereal disease clinic.
Additionally, Dr. Dickey worked with others in Taylor to develop a community center and recreational facilities for young African Americans.”
This event is also sponsored by the St. David’s Foundation, Williamson County and Cities Health District, and Samsung Austin Semiconductor.
For more information, call 512-296-6109.
