What) Thanks-Giving Square is a public-private complex in the City Center District of downtown Dallas. It was designed by architect Philip Johnson and dedicated in 1976 to promote the idea of giving thanks as a universal, human value.
At the main entrance to the park is the Court of All Nations and the Wall of Praise. The Wall of Praise features a portion of the text from Psalms 100 and a mosaic based on Norman Rockwell's "The Golden Rule". From the Wall of Praise, visitors are led to a 50-foot (15 m) tall Bell Tower that features three bronze bells designed in the form of the Liberty Bell. The bells ring every hour. Beside the Bell Tower is the Ring of Thanks and Circle of Giving. The 14-foot (4 m) diameter aluminum ring is covered in 23 carat (96%) gold leaf and invites the visitor to pass through the ring before entering the courtyard of Thanks-Giving Square.
The most prominent and recognizable feature of Thanks-Giving Square is the Chapel of Thanksgiving, a small, spiral tower that features an enclave for prayerful thanks. The entrance to the chapel is at the end of a 125-foot (38 m) bridge that runs over a cascading waterfall. Inside the chapel, the spiral is topped with a stained glass Glory Window that is one of largest horizontally mounted stained-glass pieces in the world. The window was designed by Gabriel Loire of Chartres, France to feature brighter colors as the spiral reached its apex, becoming brighter as it reaches the center. (1)
Where) 1627 Pacific Avenue Open Mon - Fri from 9 to 5 and Sat - Sun from 10 to 5 1-888-305-1205
Why) I
maintain a folder on my computer that
contains pictures or descriptions of interesting architecture
that I would like to visit if I ever get the chance.
Thanks-Giving Square has been in that folder since 2005 so I
was not going to miss it now that I am finally visiting Dallas
in 2013. 
