“It’s hard to believe it has been a year to the day that the arson happened ... it was a hate crime,” said Jose Orta, community member. “Out of hate, out of those ashes, the Dickey house will rise like a phoenix.”
On the one year anniversary of the destruction of the home of Dr. James Lee Dickey, a grant was awarded to ensure the legacy of Dickey lives on.
On Monday, July 10, the St.
David’s Foundation awarded a $500,000 grant to reconstruct a replica of the Dickey home, which will become a museum and multipurpose center.
“We are overjoyed that we are able to continue in the work of a building that is going to be very beneficial to the community as we carry on the legacy of Dr. Dickey,” said Jennifer Harris, president of the Dickey Museum and Multipurpose Center.
She said the museum and multipurpose center will not only document the history of Dr. Dickey, but also the Taylor African American history.
“This time last year, it was a sad occasion, but this time this year, it’s a joyful occasion,” Harris said.
Harris said the St. David’s Foundation’s grant was more than expected, which will help have the replica constructed.
“The building would have been finished by this time,” she said. “We put in a grant for $300,000, if you noticed I said $500,000 ... so you see why we are overjoyed.”
According to Harris, Preservation Texas will help with a Capital Campaign to raise the remaining funds to complete the building.
“Dr. Dickey was a towering figure in this community and its history. He was a champion for civil rights, public health and education,” said Mayor Brandt Rydell. “It’s only right that we continue to celebrate him and his legacy.”
Rydell said destruction of the home was a setback and a disappointment.
“I think Dr. Dickey experienced lots of setbacks and disappointments over his life, yet he persevered and overcame them, and I’m confident the same thing will happen with this project,” he said.
Harris said the museum board is already working on plans for the building with the architect.
“I thank God for bringing us to this day,” an emotional Harris said. We have seen what he devil meant for bad, God can turn it into good, and I just can’t thank him enough.”
Destruction of the Dickey House
On July 10, 2022, the Dickey Museum and Multipurpose Center in the 500 block of Burkett Street caught fire and the building was destroyed. Two days later, James Paul Gogolewski, 47, of Taylor, was arrested and charged with arson, a seconddegree felony. “It hurts that the house burned down. I grew up in that house,” said Bruce Dickey, Dr. Dickey’s grandson. “But it will be rebuilt ... It’s a great honor to honor him. He deserves that honor.”
Bruce believes that by continuing through the tragedy of losing the house it is important to keep his grandfather’s legacy alive.
“If ever there was a man that deserved the recognition, it’s him, in my book,” Bruce said. “There are no words to describe him. He was a good humanitarian, a good father, a husband, father-in-law and grandfather.”
Plans to rebuild
The museum broke ground in January 2016 and has been in ongoing phases of renovation. The museum was to be housed inside Dickey’s original home. According to Harris, the home was in the final stages of renovation and was targeted to open in July 2023.
After the fire, plans are to have the newly built replica complete for June 19, 2024, Juneteenth, and an opening is being planned for sometime between July and November of next year.
The Dickey House honors the legacy of Dr. James Lee Dickey, who, in 1921, began his practice as the only Black physician in Williamson County. Dr. Dickey practiced medicine in a place and time when freedom was granted, but equality was denied. Dickey House is in the heart of Taylor’s Health Equity Zone — census tracts identified as having higher-than-average health risks and socioeconomic burdens. Through collaborations with the Williamson County and Cities Health District and other nonprofits, Dickey House will provide community members with equitable access to trusted systems of care.
