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Image of downtown Dallas taken November 22, 1963 before the assassination
Image of downtown Dallas taken November 22, 1963 before the assassination

Image of downtown Dallas taken November 22, 1963 before the assassination

Object number2002.004.0001
Date11/22/1963
ClassificationsPhotographs
Photographer Jay Skaggs
ObjectSlide
Credit LineJay Skaggs Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumFilm
Dimensions2 x 2 in. (5.1 x 5.1 cm)
Collections
Description35mm Kodachrome II color slide, #1 of 20 images, taken by Jay Skaggs from the northeast corner of Main and Houston Streets looking east shortly before the arrival of the presidential motorcade. This view was probably simply a test exposure.
Curatorial Commentary
On November 22, 1963, Kennedy supporters Jay and Erma Skaggs brought their daughter, Virginia Ann Skaggs, and one of her school friends from Adamson High School to downtown Dallas to see the presidential motorcade.  Skaggs brought along his Argus C3 rangefinder camera to the northeast corner of Main and Houston Streets to capture the moment on film.  In a 2002 oral history with the Museum, Skaggs discussed his first photograph: "Really I was just killing time, and of course, I don't know if I had any pictures of downtown Dallas.  I just looked up the street and took a picture."  - Stephen Fagin, Curator
Skaggs' Argus C3 camera did not have a light meter, so due to his incorrect camera setting, all 20 of his pictures are under-exposed, making them appear darker than normal. - Gary Mack, Curator