Jan Howes Oral History

The Museum's Dallas Times Herald Collection (1989.100) includes several images attributed to Jan Howes' late father, chief photographer John Mazziotta. "Mazz," as he was affectionately known by his colleagues, was at Dallas Love Field, the Dallas Trade Mart and Parkland Memorial Hospital on the day of the Kennedy assassination. One notable photograph that he took that day was the "Weclome President and Mrs. Kennedy" marquee outside the Trade Mart: Image of Dallas Police officers standing guard outside the Dallas Trade Mart – Search mazziotta (Objects) – Search – The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

In this double-exposure from Love Field, captured either by Dallas Times Herald photographer Eamon Kennedy or Bob Jackson, John Mazziotta is visible holding his camera on the right side of the image: Image of President Kennedy greeting the crowd at Love Field – Works – The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. John Mazziotta passed away on November 15, 1989 at the age of 73. Prior to his long career at the Dallas Times Herald (1960 to 1979), "Mazz" worked at both the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and The Dallas Morning News.

Jan Howes' late mother, Peggie Spencer Mazziotta, was married to John Mazziotta at the time of the assassination. The couple divorced in 1977. She passed away at the age of 83 on April 25, 2011. Peggie Mazziotta recorded an oral history with the Museum in 2009, detailing her photography career in the 1950s and 1960s. The full recording may be accessed here: Peggie Mazziotta Oral History – Search peggie (Objects) – Search – The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. - Stephen Fagin, Curator