8mm home movie of U.S. Capitol Rotunda, morning of President Kennedy's funeral

Object number2014.037.0003

Date11/25/1963

ClassificationsFilms

ObjectFilm, 8mm

Credit LineThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Collection

MediumFilm

DimensionsGauge: 8mm; camera speed: 16fps
7 minutes 50 seconds

Terms

Collections

Description8mm color home movie taken from the steps of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda the morning of President Kennedy's funeral, Monday, November 25, 1963. The filmmaker was given privileged access on the steps of the Rotunda, and at one point his shadow is visible in the film, but his name remains unknown. The film shows the caisson arriving to carry the casket for the funeral procession, followed by a scene of Jacqueline Kennedy coming up the steps of the Rotunda, then the casket being carried down to the caisson and the procession leaving. At the end of the home movie there is a brief scene inside the now-empty Rotunda, followed by a look at the bridge to Arlington National Cemetery.

Curatorial Commentary

Part of this film was incorporated into the video content of the Museum's temporary exhibit, "Mourning a President," about the funeral and mourning rites for President John F. Kennedy, November 17, 2017 to February 19, 2018. The video associated is available on the Museum's YouTube channel.