International House Historical Film

This 16mm film footage, discovered in the attic of International House, depicts the first cohorts of international students in the program, beginning in the 1940s through circa 1957. The footage was most likely shot by International House's founder and first director, James Harding Jones. These digital videos represent what could be salvaged from the original 70-year-old film reels, which were in a deteriorated condition.

Highlights include the dedication gala dinner for the original International House building (which was located near where Sparkman Hall now sits) held on April 29, 1949, scenes of the students' daily lives in the first International House, campus events, parades, annual teas, field trips, and meetings with civic leaders (e.g. Governor James Folsom, Sr.). More detailed information can be found in the descriptions for each reel at the video links below.

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International House Historical Film | 1947-1948, Reel 1

James H. Jones

This reel is 2:23 minutes long and features the international students on a trip to Washington, D.C. The locations visited include several monuments, the U.S. Capitol building, the White House, and Arlington National Cemetery. The trip took place some time before June 15, 1948, when these students returned to France. Additional information about the trip and these students can be found in the International House Scrapbook Collection, in the 1947-48 scrapbook.
International House Historical Film | 1947-1949, Reel 2

James H. Jones

This reel is 3:40 minutes long and features:
- International students performing a French folk dance. The dancers are Odette Simon, Jeanne Bonvin, Denise Devaucher, and M. Jean Alhine. These dances were performed several times that academic year, so could represent a performance at the annual American Association of Teachers of French meeting (held 30 October-1 November at Jacksonville State), a performance for a college gathering held December 3, 1947, or another campus event held on February 25, 1948.
- A formal dinner
- An outdoor barbeque
- A ceremony to welcome the French "Merci Train" in February 1949, held on the steps of the Alabama Capitol building in Montgomery, with speeches by Alabama Governor James E. "Big Jim" Folsom, Sr.
- A trip to Big Spring, depicting some Madison County locations, such as Post Office No. 37
International House Historical Film | 1949

James H. Jones

This reel is 3:02 minutes long and features the candlelit, formal banquet that was part of dedication ceremonies for the original International House building held on April 29, 1949. The banquet was held at the Jacksonville State Teachers College inside Hammond Hall. Notable personages identified in the footage include President Houston Cole and First Lady Leone Cole, Senator James Allen, Col. Harry M. Ayers, Col. C.W. Daugette, Jr., James H. Jones, W.J. Calvert, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Miller, Drew Pearson, C.L. Simpson, Elene Sparks, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Scheuer.
International House Historical Film | 1950-1952

James H. Jones

This reel is 3:34 minutes long and features:
- Students and members of the International House program on a lawn outside
- Students and guests in the interior of the original International House at a tea event
- Dancing at a small party inside the original International House
- Walking on the exterior grounds of the original International House
- Singing and dancing a Mexican folk dance
It is possible some of these events were held in conjunction with the visit of Rene de Messieres, head of French cultural-relations services in the U.S., who came to campus and visited the International House on January 20, 1951, to observe the language program under Dr. James H. Jones's direction.
International House Historical Film | 1951-1953

James H. Jones

This reel is 8:05 minutes long (much of the end of the reel is damaged) and features:
- International students outside in town, possibly Jacksonville
- International students leaving a cafeteria
- Dancing together inside the original International House
- Singing, playing piano, and folk dancing on stage for a program
- Preparing food and eating communal meals inside the original International House
International House Historical Film | 1953-1955

James H. Jones

This reel is 10:11 minutes long and features:
- International students singing and folk dancing
- International students outside picnicking, skiing and boating on a lake, and swimming. The possible location is the lake house of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy A. Kemp. Rudy Kemp was a board member with the International Endowment Foundation.
- International students on a bus trip and boat ride upon the Queen Anne. This may be a trip to Decatur and surrounding areas in November of 1953, when the students presented a program at a meeting and Decatur High School and then were given a boat trip on the Tennessee River.
- International students in traditional cultural dress inside the original International House with President Houston Cole, in observance of United Nations Day, October 24, 1954
- Students attending a banquet and party
- Graduates in robes having their photos made by Opal R. Lovett, probably May 29, 1955
International House Historical Film | 1955-1956

James H. Jones

This reel is 11:07 minutes long and features:
- International students on the lawn of the original International House, having their group portrait made by Opal R. Lovett. This photograph can be found in the 1956 Mimosa
- Students in a soda/ice cream shop
- Students swimming, sailing, and speedboating on a lake. The location is probably the lake home of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy A. Kemp. Rudy Kemp was a board member and secretary of the International Endowment Foundation
- Students outdoors at a barbeque
- Students visiting a farm to see cotton in the fields, being harvested, weighed, and baled
- International students riding down Highway 21 in the Homecoming parade, October 1, 1955
- Students dressed in traditional cultural costume for a tea at the original International House. The event was held October 23, 1955, hosted by the International Endowment Foundation trustees to celebrate the 10th year of the International House program as well as observe United Nations Day.
- International students singing, playing piano, and folk dancing at a program
International House Historical Film | 1955-1957

James H. Jones

This reel is 12:21 minutes long and features:
- International students singing, playing piano, and folk dancing at a program
- Students hosting guests and forming a receiving line inside the original International House
- Opal R. Lovett taking a photograph of the international cohort with President Houston Cole in his office inside Bibb Graves (now Angle) Hall
- Candid scenes inside the original International House with students listening to music, socializing with visitors, and dancing. Mrs. Hugh Spurlock of the American Federation of Women's Clubs is present
- Students visiting a farm to see cotton in the fields, being harvested, weighed, and baled
- A parade down Highway 21 (probably for Homecoming)
- International students posing for a photograph in traditional cultural costume in front of the original International House. This group portrait can be found in the 1957 Mimosa yearbook
- International students in traditional cultural costume at the annual tea inside the original International House, October 24, 1956
- Students boating (possibly near Decatur on the Tennessee River)