Go Tribe!
While you are enjoying this year’s Homecoming activities at William & Mary, you can also take a step back in time and watch films of Homecoming weekends in 1939 and 1990 from the Special Collections Research Center. Two 16mm films from 1939 and a 1990 video from the University Archives have been digitized and are available for viewing from Special Collections on YouTube or the W&M Digital Archive.
The November 1939 films showcase the Homecoming parade of marching bands, cheerleaders, floats, and other marchers including students dressed as characters from the then-newly released film The Wizard of Oz. While these films were not created with an audio track, they are in terrific color that you’re sure to enjoy. The 1939 films also include beloved mascot Wampo the William & Mary pony, the football team in action, the then still new Sunken Garden, and an airport believed to be the College Airport.
The video produced in 1990 marks the dedication of Walter J. Zable Stadium during the Homecoming football game on November 3rd. The video features footage of alumni, fans, the football team in action, and the dedication ceremony honoring Walter J. ’37 and Betty ’40 Zable including the unveiling of the new Zable Stadium sign.
The University Archives has films from other Homecomings past, but they have not yet been digitized. These holdings are, however, incomplete and Special Collections would welcome offers of further films and other material documenting Homecoming and the history of the College of William & Mary.
