Weber carries on family tradition

By Juliette Coulter

Marilyn Herkimer Weber has vivid memories of trips to the Dallas Arboretum with her parents, Dorothy and Lawrence “Herkie” Herkimer, who were instrumental in helping the garden expand. “My family has had a long history with the Dallas Arboretum as my mom was one of the original Women’s Council members, and my dad was the first Gatsby at a fundraiser for the garden.” 

Marilyn and her husband, Ben, have continued the family tradition by taking their own children to the garden. Marilyn said, “My children’s first photos were taken with pumpkins at Autumn at the Arboretum.”

When the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden opened in 2013, the Webers supported the overlook in honor of Marilyn’s parents, who have since passed away. 

To continue honoring her parents, Marilyn and her family have given the Dallas Arboretum an early Christmas gift — a 23-foot-tall German-crafted Christmas Pyramid decorated with hand-carved elements, lighting and character movement on every level. 

The Marilyn and Ben Weber Family Christmas Pyramid is the perfect complement to the Pauline and Austin Neuhoff Christmas Village, which debuted in 2019. The Christmas Pyramid is the signature element in Pyramid Square along with new attractions, including an Edelweiss Haus serving food and drinks, a Chocolate Shop and a Toy Shop. 

Inspired by European Christmas Markets, or Christkindlmarket, The Christmas Village is comprised of 14 charming shops and façades representing a quaint European hamlet complete with Santa’s House. 

 Weber added, “Our family wanted to continue supporting this jewel in our city, and we hope that the Christmas Pyramid will be a draw to many for years to come.” 

 Known for their beautiful handiwork and woodwork, German artisans from Erzgebirge region (Ore mountains) created the octagon-shaped Christmas Pyramid. Carving each figure by hand, 15 workers spent 2,150 hours to design and build this handmade, one-of-a-kind pyramid. Each of the four levels spins and is illuminated by four candles. 

For more information and a full listing of holiday events and activities, visit 

dallasarboretum.org/holiday.