The Dow Chemical Collection - 20th Anniversary Celebration (1963)

Duration: 0:08:43

Format: 16mm

Sound: silent

Description: In May 1963, Lake Jackson residents commemorated the 20th anniversary of the city’s founding with a week-long celebration. Festivities included a carnival, king and queen contest, cake walk, pancake supper, as well as a screening of films and slides from Alden B. Dow’s personal collection documenting the building of Lake Jackson. The festivities culminated on May 18 with a Founder’s Day program, seen in this film. First, Lake Jackson’s two founders—Alden B. Dow, son of Dow Chemical founder Herbert Henry Dow, and Dr. A.P. Beutel, the head of Dow Chemical’s Texas Division—delivered remarks to the crowd and oversaw the plaque dedication ceremony. Attendees then enjoyed a parade, fish fry, frog-jumping contest, fiddler’s contest, scout sky divers, and costume contest. Only the parade is captured in this footage.