From L to R: Dellora A. Norris, Col. Edward J. Baker, and Lester J. Norris in the penthouse of Hotel Baker during the opening ceremony of the Municipal Center - September 1, 1940.
In an exciting recent discovery, the St. Charles History Museum has uncovered never-before seen footage of St. Charles’ prized landmark, the Municipal Building, being constructed from start to finish, as well as the opening and dedication ceremony on September 1, 1940. The reel also features shots of community philanthropists Lester and Dellora Norris and Col. Edward J. Baker admiring their work from across the river in the penthouse of Hotel Baker. The families donated the land and funds necessary to build the building. The original film reel had been buried in the depths of the Museum archive in a box of other 8mm and 35mm film reels, and was sent to be digitized. The Museum previously had no way to view these film reels, but through new technology we are able to send these reels to be preserved by Tim Frakes, a local film producer who specializes in the digitization of old films.
Collections & Exhibitions Manager Amanda Helfers (left) and Executive Director Alison Costanzo review and analyze film reels recently uncovered during the Museum’s collections and organization project.
Through our ongoing collections organization project, we have been able to find and document many important pieces of St. Charles history, including this cherished footage. Among other recent finds were film reels documenting the opening ceremony of the original Delnor Hospital (also donated by the Norris family), as well as footage of Baker and Norris family outings, and new footage of Col. Baker’s prized champion trotter horses in action. The ongoing collections project is a 6-7 year undertaking to document and record each one of the over 10,000 items and 15,000 photographs in the Museum’s collection to ensure that St. Charles’ history remains accessible to all for generations to come.
The rediscovery of this important film is all part of our mission of collecting, preserving, and presenting St. Charles’ rich history. To help support our mission and ensure that items like this can be properly preserved and maintained, consider supporting the Museum by becoming a volunteer, becoming a member, or making a financial contribution.
View the film reel in its entirety below:
