Welcome
Welcome to the Dr. Robert C. Johnson III Film Identification Project. Presented here are eight of the 22 films graciously donated by Dr. Johnson to Washington University in St. Louis Libraries Julian Edison Department of Special Collections. Collectively, the films feature Dr. Johnson’s time as a graduate student at WashU between the years 1970 to 1972. These films capture community events, sports, and students simply being themselves. Through them we see moments of community collaboration and joy in a relaxed atmosphere.
Dr. Johnson was heavily involved in university and community organizations and initiatives, including the Black Studies Program at WashU. However, many people seen in these films remain unidentified. This project's goal is to provide names and context for those featured in these films by making them accessible to alumni and groups with a historical connection to the period.
Viewable copies of Dr. Johnson’s films are presented here with highlights and descriptions to help provide a detailed guide of the footage. Each page includes a form for viewers to provide any identifying information about the people featured in the films. Names, memories, and connections, all provide valuable information to enhance the films for use as research.
Information gathered and verified will be added to the project and made accessible for students and researchers. Future projects and publications would also be able to utilize details for their historical context. The data gathered is completely voluntary, and we encourage people to provide any context which can be comfortably shared publicly.
Along with the films themselves, this site also includes more information about Dr. Johnson and additional background on the project. Links are also provided for further information and resources about community archival projects and the preservation of amateur recordings and home movies.