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Image of crowds and flowers in Dealey Plaza
Image of crowds and flowers in Dealey Plaza

Image of crowds and flowers in Dealey Plaza

Object number2002.052.0165
Date11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963
ClassificationsPhotographs
Photographer J. Waymon Rose
ObjectSlide
Credit LineWaymon and Ann Rose Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumFilm
Dimensions2 x 2 in. (5.1 x 5.1 cm)
DescriptionOriginal 35mm color slide on Kodachrome Transparency film taken by Ruby trial jurist J. Waymon Rose showing flowers and mourners in Dealey Plaza. The image was likely taken the weekend of the assassination in November 1963. Immediately after the assassination and in the following days and months, people left flowers and mementos in Dealey Plaza in honor of President Kennedy. An American flag at half-staff can be seen in the center of the image with the Texas School Book Depository building visible in the background.
Curatorial Commentary

J. Waymon Rose (1922-2020) was selected as Juror No. 10 in the 1964 Jack Ruby trial. In 2002, Waymon and his wife, Ann, donated a remarkable collection of trial-related materials, including their personal diaries, three oversized scrapbooks, more than 150 letters and newspaper clippings and several amateur photographs such as this one.

When Waymon Rose passed away in 2020 at the age of 98, the Museum lost a treasured friend. In addition to two oral history interviews, Waymon joined us to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Jack Ruby trial in 2004 as part of a special panel discussion. He holds the distinction of being the very first guest speaker in the Museum's popular "Living History" public and educational program series, and he went on to participate in five more programs between 2009 and 2014. Two of these programs, recorded in 2013 and 2014, may be viewed in full on the Museum's YouTube channel. - Stephen Fagin, Curator

Dealey 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
Image of crowds and flowers in Dealey Plaza
J. Waymon Rose
11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963
Image of crowds and flowers in Dealey Plaza
J. Waymon Rose
11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963
Image of flowers and a card in Dealey Plaza
J. Waymon Rose
11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963
Image of flowers and a note in Dealey Plaza
J. Waymon Rose
11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963
Image of flowers and a card in Dealey Plaza
J. Waymon Rose
11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963
Image of flowers and a note in Dealey Plaza
J. Waymon Rose
11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963
Image of flowers and mourners in Dealey Plaza
J. Waymon Rose
11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963
Image of flowers and a cross in Dealey Plaza
J. Waymon Rose
11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963
Image of crowds of mourners in Dealey Plaza
J. Waymon Rose
11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963
Image of the Texas School Book Depository building
J. Waymon Rose
11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963
Image of the Texas School Book Depository building
J. Waymon Rose
11/22/1963 - 11/24/1963