Home
movies have played an important role in American culture since the early
20th century. From personal mementos of family occasions, to historic
records of national tragedy, to instant entertainment viewed by millions
online, home movies continue to shape our culture in unpredictable—and
sometimes profound—ways.
On November 22, 1963, the amateur filmmakers
who captured images of President John F. Kennedy’s arrival in Dallas and his motorcade through downtown sought to preserve exciting
moments for themselves and their friends and family. Their footage of President Kennedy was added to reels already containing family
events such as ball games, barbecues, and birthday parties. These enthusiastic spectators—among them a mail carrier, a dress manufacturer,
a psychologist, and an air conditioning mechanic—created a significant film record of President Kennedy’s final moments, a visual account
that endures more than four decades later.
Filming Kennedy: Home Movies from Dallas showcases
silent moving images of President John F. Kennedy, from his 1960 presidential campaign through his funeral on November 25, 1963.
Featuring home movies from the collections of The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, the exhibition is highlighted by eleven amateur
films presented in their entirety, some for the first time. Through a compilation video narrated by Museum curator Gary Mack, profiles
of the men and women behind the home movie cameras, and an interactive education area, the exhibition vividly demonstrates the importance of film preservation.
