Harris, Anna B. Collection

SummaryThe Anna Harris Collection consists of 37 reels of 8mm film made in and around Manchester, Vermont. The collection is a record of outdoor activities with African American friends and includes group excursions for picnics and fishing. Destinations include Hapgood Pond and East Arlington’s covered bridge. The people of color in the film, all adults, may have included employees of Manchester, Vermont, hotels including Equinox House. J.G. Davidson is briefly shown with a truck, Skyline Drive, Equinox Mountain road. Fred Nicklewhite, who was for a time Anna Harris's landlord, appears in several reels.

Biographical/Historical NotesAnna B. Harris (1896-1979) was born in Rowlandsville, Maryland, daughter of Hazzard and Elizabeth Glasco Harris. She moved to Manchester, Vermont, around 1939 and lived there for the remainder of her life. According to her obituary (May 3, 1979), in the Manchester Journal, a memorial service was conducted at Mount Zoar Church in Conowingo, Maryland. Conowingo is just two miles from Rowlandsville. Harris is believed to have maintained friendships in Maryland throughout her life in Vermont. Anna Harris’s notes on the 8mm film boxes record incomplete names of participants (in rough and incomplete chronological order transcribed from notes on Kodak boxes): Lottie, Sam, Flora, Nelee, Katie, Carl, Tony, Lloyd, Anna, Ruth, Bob H., Norma, Billy/Billie, Peggy, Max, Annie, Carrie, Anne, Dell and Bill, Ettie, Dona, Winnie, Al, Mrs. Palmer, Clytie, Ellen, Mrs. Lucy, Charles, Mayers, Lillian, Mary [H.], Mrs. Susie, Georgie, Fannie, Gloria [Hudy], Madam G., Powell, Gibson, Bee [F.], Veda, Winnie, Victie, Mary Alice, Orlen, Cassie, Chas & Flo, Clarence & Della. Mary Victie, Arlene F., Miss Sara, Dortha, Judy, Dian, Betty, Boltie, Carrie, Max, Helen, Hattie, Mrs Fannie Gibson, Beatrice & Chas., Florence, Gladys, Mrs. Blackwell, Claudia, Rose, Wallace, Harrie, Peggy Halfpenny, Larry Freddie, Duke, Liza, Marie Carole, Gladys W., Harriet, Alma, Othella, Hurds, Mona.

RepositoryNortheast Historic Film

AvailabilityThe Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and UseAuthorization to reuse and/or reproduce must be obtained from Northeast Historic Film. See http://oldfilm.org/content/stock-footage-licensing for more information.