Archival Resources in Wisconsin: Descriptive Finding Aids

Container	Title
	Series: Films by Miriam Bennett Physical Description: The individual films with call numbers CC 176, AE 046-AE 088 were digitized by the Society and brought together by subject on DVDs for convenience. All films are 16 mm unless otherwise noted. Use Restrictions: The original films that have digital copies are restricted; researchers must use the DVD copies (VDA 176-VDA 183) for viewing.
	A Study in Reds (includes outtakes), 1932 Note Amateur film by Miriam Bennett which spoofs women's clubs and the Soviet menace in the 1930s. While listening to a tedious lecture on the Soviet threat, Wisconsin Dells Tuesday Club members fall asleep and find themselves laboring in an all-women collective in Russia under the unflinching eye of the Soviet special police. With intertitles
VDA 179	User copy
CC 176	Master
	Wisconsin Dells Indians
	“Wisconsin Dells Indians,” 1930-1950 Physical Description: Black and white and color Scope and Content Note: Dells Park (Indian) Trading Post (1930s), man dancing, women and crafts, men playing music, people watching, playing a game, The Mystic Wigwam, archery, basket weaving, shots of children, men dancing, roasting corn in pit fire, people eating corn; (switch to color, 1950s) people eating, men drumming, on the way to Stand Rock (tribe members dressed for performance) and night performance at Stand Rock.
VDA 178	User copy
AE 073	Master
	“Pipe Dyer's Trading Post,” 1955-1956 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Construction of a log building and wigwam?, basket weaving, baton twirlers, archery, dancing, cooking fry bread?, roasting corn, people eating and walking around, weaving.
VDA 178	User copy
AE 074	Master
	The Wisconsin Dells Region, part one
	“Dells of the Wisconsin River,” circa 1930 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Scenes along the river and the bluffs, people walking up to Stand Rock, view of the Stand Rock amphitheater and footage of several performances, steam boat on the river, people at Witches Gulch, river scenes and views of rock formations.
VDA 176	User copy
AE 075	Master
	“The Wisconsin Dells Region,” circa 1930 Physical Description: Black and white, with intertitles Scope and Content Note: Views of rock formations, Bennetts on a hike, views of farmland, Indian Agency House in Portage, Duward's Glen and St. Mary's of the Pines, Skillet Creek, Devil's Lake.
VDA 176	User copy
AE 076	Master
	“Autumn in Wisconsin,” 1930s Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Views of farmland, horse drawn reaper cutting wheat?, apple picking, kids eating apples, harvesting potatoes, harvesting corn, farm scenes, horses in snowstorm and views of landscape.
VDA 176	User copy
AE 046	Master
	“Town and stores,” 1932 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Billboards, scenes along Old Broadway, storefronts, scenes inside Bennett Studio and other businesses, unpacking souvenirs, photo finishing, postcard shop, basket weaving, Dells Park Trading Post, jewelry making, and other activities, municipal dock, boat tours.
VDA 176	User copy
AE 047	Master
	“Spring comes,” 1932-1949 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Scenes of the river and high water (1932), Boat tour, people boarding the Winnebago steamer (1947-1948) and views on board the boat, docking and towing a smaller boat, shots of the Clipper Winnebago being put into the water (1949).
VDA 176	User copy
AE 048	Master
	“Memorial Day parade; Bowman Park dedication,” 1929-1935 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Memorial Day parade downtown Dells to a park for a ceremony (1929); Fireman's Convention (circa 1932) downtown Dells includes footage of Marching bands, fire trucks, contests such as wagon pulling and ladder climbing; Superior Street Bridge dedication (1933) shows crowds and a parade; Bowman Park dedication (1935) shows crowd at the park and a ceremony.
VDA 176	User copy
AE 077	Master
	The Wisconsin Dells Region, part two
	“Centennial celebration,” 1948 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Log rolling, jousting on canoes, horse drawn wagons, getting ready for a parade with historically dressed people, on a boat, people at the train station, parade downtown Dells, Dells Park Trading Post lots of parked cars and a large crowd, dancing and archery performances.
VDA 177	User copy
AE 049	Master
	“Horse and buggy days,” 1949 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: A man setting up a camera at the dock, people dressed up in historical clothing, crowd at the pool for diving competition, loading a large format camera on a boat, costumed people walking across stage, group portraits being taken, people walking around park, a man shaving his beard and moustache.
VDA 177	User copy
AE 050	Master
	“Dells publicity,” circa 1950-1955 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Note on container says “filmed by Ollie for Ed Stluka.” Footage of Ducks boat, petting zoo, the Del-Bar, Ghost Town, Boothill Cemetery.
VDA 177	User copy
AE 051	Master
	“Bridge building, suds, raft race,” 1961 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Construction work on bridge, suds at the dam, also contains fleet review, and raft race.
VDA 177	User copy
AE 078	Master
	“Memorial Day parade,” circa 1965 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Parade downtown Dells, Jean with Girl Scouts marching, Debbie twirling baton.
VDA 177	User copy
AE 052	Master
	“Downtown Dells,” circa 1951-1960 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Squirrels eating off a feeder, water skiing show (1951), boats on the river, views of the river and bluffs, Indian performance dancing, Downtown Dells street scenes (1960).
VDA 177	User copy
AE 053	Master
	“Wisconsin Dells,” circa 1960s Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Boats down the river; “Spring” shots of the river and dam ; “Summer” shots of flowers, Dells landing and train, boating down the river, Stand Rock ceremonial auditorium, Indian performance ; “Autumn” shots of the river and canoeing.
VDA 177	User copy
AE 079	Master
	Only Yesterday It Seems (family films), part one
	“Crandall-Bennett family,” circa 1925 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Group playing in the snow with dogs, individual shots of family members outside in winter in front of house, photographs possibly taken by Ashley Bennett.
VDA 180	User copy
AE 054	Master
	“Dyer children,” 1925-1930 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Outside in winter, outside in summer, feeding baby, playing, swimming, reading with older woman, Halloween party.
VDA 180	User copy
AE 055	Master
	“Family and friends,” 1926-1927 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: “Crandalls, Richards, Ashley and Margaret Bennett,” two women outside looking at an album, cars arrive, river boats, shots of individuals.
VDA 180	User copy
AE 056	Master
	“Crandalls golfing and hotel crew,” circa 1926 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Group golf outing, hotel chef sharpens knives and smokes, a man rakes the yard, the staff presents themselves to the camera, three young ladies fold napkins in the wind and mock-fight with the chef.
VDA 180	User copy
AE 057	Master
	“Winter,” circa 1930 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Prepping the house, visitors, chores, snow, Christmas, hiking, skiing, sledding.
VDA 180	User copy
AE 080	Master
	“Dyer kids, family portrait,” 1932-1944 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Fall/summer outside playing, riding a bike, Winter outside playing in the snow, fishing, jump roping, hopscotch, boys using microphone and speaker, swimming, Girl Scouts marching in parade, marching bands, adults and Evaline mounting stereographs, teens taking photographs outside, Miriam shooting Dyer family portrait with camera.
VDA 180	User copy
AE 081	Master
	“Pets and digging both lakes,” 1934-1947 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: First dog: excitedly greets family on front doorstep, going for a walk, playing. Second dog: racing through trees, teaching dog tricks, in water, waiting in car. “Cat Nips”: cat tucked into crib, drinking milk, batting at toy on a string, pouncing and playing outdoors, grooming. At construction site: dog playing with stick, chasing ball, greeting old woman and stealing her hat, men digging, clearing, and building.
VDA 180	User copy
AE 058	Master
	“Jean's High School graduation,” 1941 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Jean at school, school grounds, classrooms, Graduation ceremony.
VDA 180	User copy
AE 082	Master
	“Drill squad,” 1941 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Elmer Frodin is the name associated with this film. Young men in uniform lining up, marching, and performing drills in a field, presumably outside a military academy.
VDA 180	User copy
AE 059	Master
	“The Wishing Hill,” 1942-1943 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: With the Fosters, girls cross country skiing, winter river views, two girls on top of a bluff trying on a headdress, girls dressed formally outside in the park, primping and dancing; New Year's (1942), people arriving at the house, in the kitchen cooking, people relaxing around the house; Wishing Hill (1943), summer outdoor scenes, feeding ducks, boy waxing a car, boy dressed in suit getting into car, woman machine sewing outside, woman with suitcases outside (going to Rockford College?).
VDA 180	User copy
AE 060	Master
	Only Yesterday It Seems (family films), part two
	“Canoeing, Christmas, kids,” 1946-1949 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Canoeing the river, dogs, newborn to 2 years?. Bottle feeding, in sled and carriage, Christmas, first steps, outside in spring.
VDA 181	User copy
AE 061	Master
	“Reese kids,” 1950-1951 Physical Description: Color and black and white Scope and Content Note: Toddler with baby (sisters?) Christmas, playing, at a parade; “Cousins-1951” playing outside, Christmas.
VDA 181	User copy
AE 062	Master
	“Small fry, 'Brooking,' school,” 1953 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Summer, three Reese kids outside, playing in the brook, school playground.
VDA 181	User copy
AE 063	Master
	“Small fry, boating, Wishing Hill,” 1954-1958 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Two women and four small children on river rowboat, eating cookies on the shore, children playing dress-up, Santa Claus delivers presents at Christmas, opening presents, playing with toys, children at public pool, boys with handcuffs, girls and boys with hula-hoops.
VDA 181	User copy
AE 064	Master
	“Reese-Dyer construction, BBQ, kids,” 1956-1959 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Reese-Dyer (1956); O.W. Reese house?, new house under construction (1958-1959); barbecue; winter kids playing in the snow; summer, kids swimming (1959).
VDA 181	User copy
AE 083	Master
	“Jean's graduation in Rockford,” 1945 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Rockford College outdoor graduation ceremony, graduates file in wearing black graduation caps and gowns, choir sings, speeches, graduates receive diplomas and hoods, mingling on lawn, packing up cars, view of Jean Emily Dyer's diploma.
VDA 181	User copy
AE 065	Master
	“Hobbies and sports,” circa 1930s Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: “Crandall Clan”; “G-H the reforester and his forest”; “Golfers, or terrific taps from tees”; “Aunt Ruth, fisher of mites”; “MEB,” Miriam with her puppets; “Ruth and her birdies,” Ruth making birds from shells and a stop motion of the birds; “The garden”; “The magic touch,” a time lapse drama of plants growing from seed to a full garden; “Roland,” sanding a dresser outside.
VDA 181	User copy
AE 084	Master
	“Fashion parade,” circa 1930s Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Phyllis Conner, Aboriginal fashion; Lois Musson, 1860 fashion; Miriam Bennett, 1870 fashion; Ruth Dyer, Jean Bennett, Evaline and Miriam Bennett, and Asa Richards, 1930 fashion; and Roland Dyer, Anyllis and Ralph Conner golfing.
VDA 181	User copy
AE 066	Master
	Travel, part one
	“Florida,” 1935 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Snowstorm at a train station, St. Augustine, West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Nassau, Sanibel Islands, Sarasota.
VDA 182	User copy
AE 085	Master
	“Arizona trails,” 1936 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Grand Canyon.
VDA 182	User copy
AE 067	Master
	“San Diego days,” 1937 Physical Description: Black and white Scope and Content Note: Port, city, ships, zoo, Balboa Park, beach.
VDA 182	User copy
AE 068	Master
(Unassigned)	“Colorful Florida,” 1939-1941 Physical Description: Color, original reel #38 (not found at time of reprocessing) Scope and Content Note: Beach scene, flora, Silver Springs Seminole Village, Rainbow Springs glass bottom boat, St. Augustine.
	“In the Great Smokies, and Yellowstone Park,” 1948 Physical Description: Color
VDA 182	User copy
AE 086	Master
	Travel, part two
	“Hoover Dam; California,” circa 1950 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: “Hoover Dam”; “California”; “Grand Canyon”; “Death Valley”; “California 1950”; “Mission at Carmel”; “Santa Barbara”; “Surf and Cypress.”
VDA 183	User copy
AE 087	Master
	“Williamsburg; Florida,” 1952 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Colonial Williamsburg; the Everglades, Key West.
VDA 183	User copy
AE 069	Master
	“Mexico,” 1953 Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: In the markets, plowing with oxen, Xoehimilco, Teotihuacan, streets of Taxco, Monte Alban, Oaxaca.
VDA 183	User copy
AE 088	Master
	“Upper Michigan, Little Norway,” 1953, 1955 Physical Description: Color
VDA 183	User copy
AE 070	Master
	“Island hopping,” 1956 Spring Note: Caribbean Islands. Physical Description: Color
VDA 183	User copy
AE 071	Master
	“Northern shore Lake Superior,” circa 1950s Physical Description: Color Scope and Content Note: Views of Lake Superior shoreline, waves crashing against rocks, pebbled beaches, waterfalls, Gunflint Lodge Trading Post and Northwoods Outfitters sign, walking trail with dog, wind in the trees, pond, Cascade River.
VDA 183	User copy
AE 072	Master
AE 089	Wisconsin Dells (possibly) crew races, from WGN-TV Bellman Jones, 1953
AE 136	Children's comedies Note “Battle of the Ballots,” 1932 “Pioneers,” 1938 “Nothing But the Tooth,” 1939
AE 137	“Cinderella” and extras, 1927 Note: Probably filmed by Irene Bennett and directed by Mrs. Harriet Richards.
AE 138	“The Puppets: Ocean Treasure,” 1935
AE 139	“Sunday School Pageant,” 1944
AE 140	“The Show Must Go On,” 1932 Note: High school auditorium play in the Dells directed by Mrs. Harriet Richards.
	“Views of a Cameraman,” 1983 Note: Documentary on H.H. Bennett by Sara Rath and Richard Lawson.
CC 202	Master copy (16 mm film)
VHB 499	VHS access copy (dubbed in 1997)
VHB 500	New story about Wisconsin Dells Tourism on “Saturday Morning,” (WISC-TV Channel 3), 1995 July 29 Scope and Content Note: Interviews with Tommy Bartlett (Tommy Bartlett Show), Lance Talmadge (Stand Rock Ceremonial), Jean Reese (H.H. Bennett Studio).
EA 154	“Chaco Canyon” Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 155	“Dells Views” Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 156	Desert canyon Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 157	Fields and mountains Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 158	“Fiesta Nelson” Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 159	“Folks and People” Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 160	“Highwater, Sheep, Desert” Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 161	“Indians in the Dells” Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 162	“Rodeo Parade, Phoenix, 1938-1939” Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 163	“Superstition Trek” Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 164	“Trading Post” Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 165	“Western Bits” Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 166	“Western Parades” Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 167	Untitled 1 Physical Description: 8 mm
EA 168	Untitled 2 Physical Description: 8 mm