George Jefferies Living History Program
Object number2008.001.0040
Date06/06/2008
ClassificationsOral Histories
Oral history interview subject
George Jefferies
Oral history interviewer
Stephen Fagin
ObjectOral history
Credit LineOral History Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumBorn digital (.m2ts file)
Dimensions22 Minutes
DescriptionVideotaped program titled "Eyewitness to History: George Jefferies." A secretary for Universal Insurance in Dallas, Jefferies filmed a color home movie of the Kennedy motorcade--including a stunning view of Jackie Kennedy--on Main Street less than two minutes before the assassination. After his son-in-law donated the film to the Museum in late 2006, Jefferies received international media attention.
Program conducted at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza on June 6, 2008 by Stephen Fagin, Associate Curator. The program is twenty-two minutes long.
Curatorial CommentaryMr. Jeffries passed away on February 15, 2014. - Stephen Fagin, Associate Curator
In addition to this public program, part of a series in conjunction with the Museum's "Filming Kennedy: Home Movies from Dallas" exhibit, Mr. Jefferies recorded a videotaped oral history on March 5, 2007. - Stephen Fagin, Associate Curator
Of all the motion picture films known to exist of the Kennedy motorcade, Mr. Jefferies' film is by far the best one showing Jacqueline Kennedy. Although he was an amateur photographer, Mr. Jefferies did a pretty good job at keeping her and President Kennedy in his frame as their car passed in front of him. The presidential motorcade had just emerged from the heart of downtown Dallas where the crowds were so huge they pushed into the street, creating a real traffic hazard for some of the drivers. Mr. Jefferies filmed the Kennedys from near the Main & Lamar intersection, only a few blocks from Dealey Plaza. - Gary Mack, Curator
