Series 15188
Centennial Commission (1947) Centennial motion picture films
Dates: 1946-1947.
1.70 cubic feet
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
This series is made up of moving pictures of several representative county celebrations and most of the special state events which were appropriate subjects.
In order that a visual record of observances commemorating the first 100 years might be kept for the generations, the 1947 Centennial Commission directed that motion pictures be made of such events as would represent the sort of programs offered throughout the state. Gathered from many sources, including a professional photographer employed by the commission, various pieces of color film were made into a complete motion picture record of the Centennial year. It was the intention of the committee that the motion pictures serve as an important part of the historical records rather than have any commercial value. The stated purpose was not to entertain but to serve as visual history.
In addition, scenes from "Promised Valley" taken by an amateur photographer for his own use are included to complete the record and give some idea ofthe nature of this production. The "Promised Valley" scenes were shot in color without sound.
"We Who Follow," a 16mm color, sound film produced by the Beautification Division to stimulate participation efforts, has been incorporated into this series. Shown on 260 occasions before an estimated 18,000 people, the film was available for distribution to schools, churches, civic organizations, and other interested groups throughout the state. The 400-foot film shows Utah's parks, homes, roads, buildings, etc. Sightly and unsightly examples are included. "Do Your Part in Beautifying Our State: Prepare for Utah's Centennial" is another film produced by the Beautification Division.
Gaps in Series
It is not known whether "Clean-up, Paint-up, Fix-up for Better Living," a sound movie trailer short produced by the Beautification Division, was transferred to the archives.
Research Note
Prior to archival processing, VHS copies of 16mm films produced by various state agencies were made without regard to series boundaries. The result was that films created by different agencies were duplicated on a single tape. In addition to "We Who Follow," cassette 4 includes two Department of Publicity and Industrial Development films ("Lest We Forget" and the national ski meet at Snow Basin) as well as an animated Disney film. In addition, centennial sequences 7 through 10 do not appear on cassette 1. The sequences missing from cassette 1 are included on cassette 3, which was "re-done with sound" on sequences 1, 3, 4, and 6.
Research Note
Prior to archival processing, VHS copies of 16mm films produced by various state agencies were made without regard to series boundaries. The result was that films created by different agencies were duplicated on a single tape. In addition to "We Who Follow," cassette 4 includes two Department of Publicity and Industrial Development films ("Lest We Forget" and the national ski meet at Snow Basin) as well as an animated Disney film. In addition, centennial sequences 7 through 10 do not appear on cassette 1. The sequences missing from cassette 1 are included on cassette 3, which was "re-done with sound" on sequences 1, 3, 4, and 6.
Access Restrictions
This series is designated as Public.
Reproduction and Use
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Related Records
Reports from the Centennial Commission (1947), Series 2228, include summaries of centennial events.
Travel promotion films and audiovisual material from the Office of Tourism, Series 5544, include centennial related motion picture films such as "Lest We Forget," and works dealing with centennial sporting events, notably skiing at Snow Basin and automobile racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Audio recordings from the Centennial Commission (1947), Series 14154, provide narration for the motion pictures showing various centennial events.
Minutes from the Centennial Commission (1947), Series 19313, mention planning for centennial events.
Correspondence and subject files from the Centennial Commission (1947), Series 19316, include both the narrator's 71-page script describing the centennial events and a contract to produce the motion picture.
Division correspondence and subject files from the Centennial Commission (1947), Series 19317, include correspondence and planning files related to films and the narrator's script for "We Who Follow."
Indexing Terms
Utah--Centennial celebrations, etc.
Utah--Urban beautification.
| VIDEOTAPE | REEL | BOX | DESCRIPTION |
| n/a | n/a | 1 | Videotape copies (VHS format) of all reels |
| 1, 3 | 1 | 2 | Sequence 1; Shots from "We Who Follow" |
| 1, 3 | 1 | 2 | Sequence 2; Centennial Commission members |
| 1, 3 | 1 | 2 | Sequence 3; Shots from "We Who Follow" |
| 1, 3 | 1 | 2 | Sequence 4; Selection of the centennial queen |
| 1, 3 | 1 | 2 | Sequence 5; Pasadena parade |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | Sequence 6; Coronation of the centennial queen |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | Sequence 7; Ice Carnival at Logan |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | Sequence 8; Winter sports (skiing) |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | Sequence 9; Special legislative session at Fillmore |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | Sequence 10; Dinner for champions |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 11; Hopscotch and marble tournaments |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 12; BYU Relays (track and field) |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 13; Reception for immigrant pioneers |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 14; Utah Lake regatta |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 15; Strawberry Days |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 16; NCAA track and field meet |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 17; Tooele County celebration |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 18; U.S. Clay Court tennis meet |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 19; Sevier County celebration |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 20; Provo parade |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 21; Uintah County celebration |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 22; Juab County celebration |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 23; Wasatch County celebration |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 24; Posse parade |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 25; Governors' conference |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 26; San Juan County celebration |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Sequence 27; Centennial parades |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 27; Centennial parades (cont.) |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 28; Ogden Pioneer Days |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 29; Carbon County celebration |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 30; National archery meet |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 31; Salt Flats speed trials |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 32; John Cobb run |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 33; Roosevelt Indian Days |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 34; World horseshoe championship |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 35; Western Open golf tournament |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 36; Box Elder County celebration |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 37; Grand County celebration |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | Sequence 38; Centennial Exposition |
| 2 | 4 | 5 | Sequence 38; Centennial Exposition (cont.) |
| 2 | 4 | 5 | Sequence 39; Bingham Galena Days |
| 2 | 4 | 5 | Sequence 40; Morgan County pageant |
| 2 | 4 | 5 | Sequence 41; Centennial Boy Scout camp |
| 2 | 4 | 5 | Sequence 42; Dedication of "This Is the Place" Monument |
| 2 | 5 | 6 | Promised Valley scenes |
| 4 | 6 | 7 | "We Who Follow" (Beautification Division) |
| 4 | n/a | n/a | "The Litterbug" (Walt Disney film with Donald Duck) |
| 4 | n/a | n/a | "Lest We Forget" (Department of Publicity and Industrial Development) |
| 4 | n/a | n/a | National Ski Meet at Snow Basin, 1946-1947 (Department of Publicity and Industrial Development) |
| MICROFILM REEL | REEL | BOX | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | 7 | 6 | "Do Your Part in Beautifying Our State: Prepare for Utah's Centennial" (Beautification Division) |