JOHN RUNK:

An Inventory of His Film Collection at the Minnesota Historical Society

Sound and Visual Collection

Part or all of this collection is restricted.
For details, please see restrictions.


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Creator: Runk, John, 1878-1964.
Title:John Runk film collection [motion picture]
Dates:1952-1960.
Language:Materials in English.
Abstract:Bulk of the collection includes film footage shot in and around Stillwater, Minn. and the St. Croix River. Views include the 1952 flood, boating, fishing, Washington County fair, Lowell Park and Engine #328 in Stillwater, the construction of Hooley's Supermarket, the razing of the Union Depot in Stillwater and construction work at the Stillwater sewage treatment plant. Also includes views of Taylors Falls, Minn., the Minnesota State Fair, Minnesota Centennial celebration activities, a senior citizens' picnic, St. Paul Winter Carnival, North Shore Drive along Lake Superior and a solar eclipse.
Quantity:28 master film reels: silent, sound, black and white and color; 16 mm and 27 user video files: MP4 (38.2 GB).
Location:III.31: See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Access Restrictions:

Access to the master copies is restricted and requires the permission of the sound and visual curator.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Runk, John, John Runk Film Collection. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: AV2009.96; AV2000.116

Location of Master Files

Digital masters of film reels are maintained on the Society's secure digital collections storage servers and are managed and preserved in accordance with archival best practices.

Processing Information:

Legacy Amendment logo

Processed by: Jennifer Huebscher, November 2009.

Digital video transferred from the master film reels by the Minnesota Historical Society for preservation purposes, October 2020.

Digitization was made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008.

Catalog ID number: 990016859560104294


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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Location
III.31.1St. Croix scenes, 1952. 1 master film reel (23 minutes, 36 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.8 GB).
Footage contains views of Lowell Park, a bird's eye view of the St. Croix River, Little Venice, and Twin Springs, 1952. Next are exterior shots of outdoor recreational activities including walking on the promenade next to Lowell Park. Additional footage includes a brief scene of cabins and trading post at a Boy Scout camp on the St. Croix River. Film ends at the Franconia monument.
St. Croix scenes, 1952Digital version
Location
III.31.2Stillwater scenes, 1952. 1 master film reel (23 minutes, 36 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.8 GB).
Footage contains highest water mark reached during Stillwater floods on April 16, 1952. Flooding throughout Lowell Park and downtown. Water levels are seen as high as the bottom of the Lift Bridge. Scene switches to water recreation activities, Pioneer Park, cars on the Lift Bridge, and people at the American Legion beach.
Stillwater scenes, 1952Digital version
Location
III.37.3Scenes of Taylors Falls, 1952. 1 master film reel (11 minutes, 57 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (915.7 MB).
Footage contains scenes from Taylors Falls Interstate Park and the St. Croix River.
Scenes of Taylors Falls, 1952Digital version
Location
III.37.4Boating on the St. Croix, 1953. 1 master film reel (14 minutes, 41 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.1 GB).
Footage contains shots of Lowell Park, the American Legion beach, and a water plane on the St. Croix River. There is soap box derby racing down Chestnut Street. The last scene contains festivities such as co-ed horseback riding, bands and baton twirling, stroller size floats by children, a parade in downtown Stillwater featuring classic cars, marching bands, and the Osman Shriners. Film concludes with scenes of a water ski show.
Includes similar footage to Washington County Fair, 1953 (III.31.9), Stillwater views, 1955 (III.31.17), and Stillwater festivals, 1959 (III.31.26).
Boating on the St. Croix, 1953Digital version
Location
III.37.5Stillwater: Fishermen's paradise, 1953-1960. 1 master film reel (8 minutes, 19 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (635.9 MB).
Footage contains people fishing near the Stillwater Lift Bridge. Film concludes with a fisherman demonstrating how to clean and fillet a fish.
Stillwater: Fishermen's paradise, 1953-1960Digital version
Location
III.37.6State Fair, 1953. 1 master film reel (15 minutes, 34 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.2 GB).
Footage contains scenes from the Minnesota State Fair including various types of rides, a car stunt show by Thrillcade, car racing, an outdoor acrobatic show, a circus show featuring dogs, and interior footage within one of the exhibit halls of food vendors.
Includes similar footage to Washington County Fair, 1953 (III.31.9) and Minnesota State Fair 1953-1954 (III.31.14).
State Fair, 1953Digital version
Location
III.37.7Parades and picnics, 1953. 1 master film reel (16 minutes, 24 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print, and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.3 GB).
Footage from the Elks' parade and a senior citizens' picnic at Como Park with lions, tigers, seals, and amusement rides. Also includes the Washington County Historical Society picnic at Pine Point Nursing Home, flowers at Lowell Park, and footage outside of the Stillwater caves.
Parades and picnics, 1953Digital version
Location
III.37.8Stillwater views, 1953. 1 master film reel (18 minutes, 21 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.4 GB).
Footage contains miscellaneous scenes and events. Cars driving on the Stillwater Lift Bridge, a car submerged in the river, water skiing, a parade with numerous groups marching and carrying the United States of America flag, an American Legion memorial ceremony at Lowell Park. Next are interior shots of exhibits by local and national businesses, followed by an amateur baseball game between the Stillwater Lumberjacks and Cannon, and concludes with scenes of the St. Croix River.
Includes similar footage to Stillwater and the St. Croix, 1957-1958 (III.31.21).
Stillwater views, 1953Digital version
Location
III.37.9Washington County Fair, 1953. 1 master film reel (20 minutes, 57 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print, and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.6 GB).
Footage contains people at Lowell Park, boarding a ship, a picnic at Pioneer Park, and VFW beach, Lilly Lake. Footage from the Washington County Fair, 1953, that includes carnival rides, games, and equestrian competition. Film concludes with, Play Day, 1953. There are soap box derby races, bands and baton twirling competitions, kids' floats competition, a parade, and a log rolling competition.
Includes similar footage to Boating on the St. Croix, 1953 (III.31.4), State Fair, 1953 (III.31.6), Minnesota State Fair 1953-1954 (III.31.14), Stillwater views, 1955 (III.31.17), and Stillwater festivals, 1959 (III.31.26).
Washington County Fair, 1953Digital version
Location
III.37.10Winter Carnival and boat building, 1953. 1 master film reel (24 minutes, 16 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.9 GB).
Footage contains Ice Carnival, 1953. The parade takes place near the Capitol and makes it way towards downtown. Next are scenes of boats on the St. Croix River, picnics at Pioneer Park, the Muller boat yard, canoeing, and the American Legion beach.
Winter Carnival and boat building, 1953Digital version
Location
III.37.12Eclipse of the sun, 1954. 1 master film reel (9 minutes, 08 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (635.4 MB).
Footage contains various shots of an eclipse, brief shots of the Lift Bridge, and a barge docked on the St. Croix River.
Eclipse of the sun, 1954Digital version
Location
III.31.13John Runk's films, 1954. 1 master film reel (20 minutes, 07 seconds): sound, optical, black and white, color; 16mm. reversal positive print.
Footage contains ads for Kodak still and movie cameras interspersed with short feature films; K.P. Serenade, Rhumba Amalia, Lola Molina, and West of Laramie.
Location
III.37.14Minnesota State Fair, 1953-1954. 1 master film reel (22 minutes, 35 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.6 GB).
Footage contains people fishing near the Lift Bridge and an equestrian competition at the Washington county fair. Also footage of the Minnesota State Fair. People loading off from a bus near the entrance gate, Midway Royal American car shows, rides and games, Thrillcade show, acrobatic performance, and night footage of rides.
Includes similar footage to State Fair, 1953 (III.31.6) and Washington County Fair, 1953 (III.31.9).
Minnesota State Fair, 1953-1954Digital version
Location
III.37.15St. Croix views, 1954. 1 master film reel (22 minutes, 35 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.7 GB).
Footage contains views along the St. Croix River and its banks, and a sequence featuring an auto race at a county dirt track.
St. Croix views, 1954Digital version
Location
III.37.16Dedication of Engine No. 328, 1955. 1 master film reel (18 minutes, 03 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.4 GB).
Footage contains shots from a ceremony at the installation and dedication of Engine No. 328 as a historic marker in Stillwater's Lowell Park. Film concludes with brief shots of streetcars in Minneapolis and a view of the Minnesota Centennial Exhibit.
Dedication of Engine No. 238, 1955Digital version
Location
III.37.17Stillwater views, 1955. 1 master film reel (21 minutes, 50 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.7 GB).
Footage contains people at Lowell Park, boating, water skiing, kids swimming in the fountain, elephants walking towards the Lift Bridge, racing of single person water crafts, soap box derby, equestrian competition, kids with stroller sized floats, and a parade through downtown Stillwater.
Includes similar footage to Boating on the St. Croix, 1953 (III.31.4), Washington County Fair, 1953 (III.31.9), Stillwater and water sports, 1955-1956 (III.31.17), and Stillwater festivals, 1959 (III.31.26).
Stillwater views, 1955Digital version
Location
III.37.18Stillwater and water sports, 1955-1956. 1 master film reel (25 minutes, 51 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (2 GB).
Footage contains shots of people building a portable water craft, folks at Pioneer Park playing bingo, a crowd watching boat races of single person water crafts, a log rolling show, water skiing, kid stroller floats, soap box derby racing, parade, and a naval helicopter drill.
Includes similar footage to Boating on the St. Croix, 1953 (III.31.4), Washington County Fair, 1953 (III.31.9), Stillwater views, 1955 (III.31.17) , and Stillwater festivals, 1959 (III.31.26).
Stillwater and water sports, 1955-1956Digital version
Location
III.37.19St. Croix River, 1956. 1 master film reel (19 minutes, 16 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print, and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.5 GB).
Footage contains views of the Lift Bridge, seagulls, cars on the bridge, people out in the water, the the bridge raising for a sail boat. Scene changes to a boat graveyard of rusted, damaged boats. Concludes with footage of debris from a Canadian Pacific Union plane crash.
St. Croix River, 1956Digital version
Location
III.37.20Boating and parades, 1957. 1 master film reel (25 minutes, 37 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (2 GB).
Footage contains boats on the water, a water skiing show, a parade in front of Hooley's Supermarket, carnival rides, kids with stroller floats, soap box derby races, crowd shots, and the Vulcan Krewe marking up the crowd.
Includes similar footage to Boating on the St. Croix, 1953 (III.31.4), Washington County Fair, 1953 (III.31.9), Stillwater views, 1955 (III.31.17), Stillwater and water sports, 1955-1956 (III.31.18), and Stillwater festivals, 1959 (III.31.26).
Boating and parades, 1957Digital version
Location
III.37.21Stillwater and the St. Croix, 1957-1958. 1 master film reel (26 minutes, 44 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (2 GB).
Footage contains a winter parade, the Vulcan Krewe and Vulcanus Rex, an American Legion memorial ceremony at Lowell Park, fishing, people out at the beach, St. Croix official marker, and a boat trip towards Taylors Falls.
Includes similar footage to Stillwater views, 1953 (III.313.8).
Stillwater and the St. Croix, 1957-1958Digital version
Location
III.37.22Centennial celebrations, 1958. 1 master film reel (18 minutes, 50 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.5 GB).
Footage contains the Minnesota Centennial Showboat docked near Lowell Park, passengers getting on and off, the ship crew wearing historical clothing, children playing at the American Legion beach, parade, boats on the river, and the Lift Bridge moving to let boats through.
Centennial celebrations, 1958Digital version
Location
III.37.23Scenes from Stillwater to Wabasha on the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, 1958. 1 master film reel (11 minutes, 45 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (902 MB).
Footage contains people at Lowell Park, close up shot of the grounds keeper. Scene changes to Red Wing buildings, historical markers such as Forte St. Antoine, on the road driving, Lake Pepin, Taylors Falls, out on the St. Croix River, and views of the Mississippi River.
Scenes from Stillwater to Wabasha on the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, 1958Digital version
Location
III.37.24North Shore Drive - Highway 61: Lake Superior, 1959. 1 master film reel (22 minutes, 27 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.7 GB).
Footage contains views from a road trip up Highway 61. Includes Split Rock, Hotel Wa-Keya, and large ships.
North Shore Drive - Highway 61: Lake Superior, 1959Digital version
Location
III.37.25Stillwater scenes, 1959. 1 master film reel (13 minutes, 22 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1 GB).
Footage contains a parade, Pioneer Park, the American Legion beach, group picnic at a hospital, and a man feeding pigeons.
Stillwater scenes, 1959Digital version
Location
III.37.26Stillwater festivals, 1959. 1 master film reel (16 minutes, 43 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.3 GB).
Footage contains boat races of single person water crafts, a parade near Hooley's Supermarket, carnival rides, soap box derby races, and a fire fighter competition.
Includes similar footage to Boating on the St. Croix, 1953 (III.31.4), Washington County Fair, 1953 (III.31.9), Stillwater views, 1955 (III.31.17), Stillwater and water sports, 1955-1956 (III.31.18), and Boating parade, 1957 (III.31.20).
Stillwater festivals, 1959Digital version
Location
III.37.27Construction of Hooley's Supermarket, 1960. 1 master film reel (17 minutes, 39 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (1.4 GB).
Footage contains the construction of Hooley's Supermarket on the site of the old Union Depot. Views include foundation work and shoppers in the completed store.
Construction of Hooley's Supermarket, 1960Digital version
Location
III.37.28Razing old Union Depot, March 1960. 1 master film reel (32 minutes, 33 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print, and 1 user video file: MP4 (2.5 GB).
Razing old Union Depot, March 1960Digital version
Location
III.37.29Stillwater Sewage Treatment Plant, 1959. 1 master film reel (34 minutes, 03 seconds): silent, color; 16mm. reversal positive print and 1 user video file: MP4 (2.6 GB).
Footage contains construction work at the Stillwater plant, including repairing broken piping, creating trenches, and laying new sewer pipes.
Stillwater Sewage Treatment Plant, 1959Digital version

Expand/CollapseSEPARATED MATERIAL

Master reel and user copy of the film Ice Harvest, previously numbered III.31.11, were removed from the collection and cataloged as C-84 master reel and C-84 user copy, copy 2. The film dates from 1953-1954 and shows footage of ice harvesting as well as scenes from a Winter Carnival parade, a Stillwater ice-cream social, and ice fishing.

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Expand/CollapseCATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:
Amateur films.
Fairs -- Minnesota.
Organizations:
Hooley's Supermarket (Stillwater, Minn.).
Meetings:
Minnesota State Fair.
St. Paul Winter Carnival (1953).
Places:
Minnesota -- Centennial celebrations, etc.
Stillwater (Minn.).
Washington County (Minn.).
Saint Croix River Valley (Wis. and Minn.).
Taylors Falls (Minn.).
North Shore (Minn.).
Document Types:
Motion pictures (visual works).

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