Image of the Texas School Book Depository building and mourners in Dealey Plaza
Object number1999.034.0009
Date11/25/1963
ClassificationsPhotographs
ObjectSlide
Credit LineRobert Russell Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumFilm
Dimensions2 x 2 in. (5.1 x 5.1 cm)
DescriptionOriginal 35mm color slide on Kodak Kodachrome Transparency Film taken by an unknown photographer. Immediately after the assassination and in the following days and weeks, people left flowers and mementos in Dealey Plaza in honor of President Kennedy. This picture was taken on Monday afternoon, November 25, 1963, around the time the president's body was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Blurry image shows crowds of mourners with floral tributes, wreaths, and notes on the south side of Elm Street. The Texas School Book Depository building and the Dal-Tex building are visible in the background.
Curatorial CommentaryDealey Plaza was transformed into a memorial shrine during the weekend of the assassination as mourners left wreaths, floral displays and notecards in memory of President Kennedy. One plaza visitor, George Reid, recalled in his Museum oral history: "People were starting to leave things and then, by Sunday morning, there was quite a bit of stuff there--quite a lot of flowers.... And people were coming down there, and people were standing there crying. People just bawling and just talking to each other, hugging each other, you know. It was an emotional scene that day." - Stephen Fagin, Curator
The photographs donated by Robert Russell were purchased at a yard sale. The photographer is unknown, although details in the pictures, including the rope barrier, suggest they were taken on Monday, November 25, 1963. - Gary Mack, Curator (2000 - 2015)
