Films – Home films present how Redlands celebrated the vacations by the years – Redlands Day by day Details
By Nathan Gonzales
As we glance towards a vacation season that’s each acquainted and but, by necessity, totally different this 12 months, we’re given the chance to look again and replicate upon seasons previous. When many take into consideration historic supplies, what usually involves thoughts are outdated, dusty paperwork and books, and but the truth of the archives at A.Ok. Smiley Public Library is something however that.
Simply over a 12 months in the past, the library embarked upon an thrilling new challenge to digitize and protect the 8mm, Tremendous 8, and 16mm house films that have been so standard from the 1930s by the 1970s. Due to the expense of the medium, solely those that may afford it have been in a position to put it to use, however it additionally meant that it was reserved for the moments in life that have been most vital to the households capturing them. That always meant the joy of the vacations.

Due to the households who’ve contributed their very own household historical past to the Redlands Home Film Preservation Venture, Redlanders into the longer term can expertise a slice of the vacations in movement, from opening items across the tree, to giant household dinners and gatherings, to group occasions just like the Redlands Christmas Parade. For instance, Don Payne captured his household’s Christmas celebration in 1954, replete with the joy of opening presents that included an 8mm movie setup. Twelve years later, the Ford household introduced their house film digital camera to document the 1966 Redlands Christmas Parade for posterity. In 1975, the Williams household documented the fun – and exhaustion – of Christmasmorning.
No matter traditions we comply with, movies like these exhibit the extra common values of household, togetherness, pleasure, assist, and generosity.
In the event you, household, or mates have house films that assist illustrate and inform the story of life in Redlands, please contact the Heritage Room at (909) 798-7632 or heritage@akspl.org. We hope you and yours have a protected and wholesome vacation season!
Nathan Gonzales is archivist and head of particular collections at A.Ok. Smiley Public Library, 125 W. Vine St., Redlands.