MacRae Shannon Collection
Inclusive Dates
circa 1942 – 1958
Abstract
Collection of 16mm and 8mm home movies shot around Ottawa, Illinois by school superintendent MacRae Shannon.
Collection Items
To request more information about the items in this collection, please contact the archive at
info@chicagofilmarchives.org.
Items with Viewable Media
- 1953
- Backing Up the Guns (Short Version)
- Band Show, Marquette Game 1954
- Band Tour 1956
- Band Tour 1958
- Bill Novak [...] High School
- Bill's Home '56
- Bill's Home and Band Rehearsal
- Bill's House '56
- Boy Scout
- Boy Scout Parade
- Choir Tour
- [Dr. Christian, etc.]
- Family at Dinner 1957, Flood Also, Ottawa Twp. High School
- Memorial Day Parade 1956
- Poor River St.
- [untitled]
- [untitled]
- [Untitled Early 1940s Home Movie]
- [Untitled Early 1940s Home Movie]
- Wyoming — Prines
- Wyoming V. E. E—DA SOO etc.
Collection Identifier
C.2017-11
Extent of Collection
2 reels of 8mm totaling approx. 50 feet; 19 reels of 16mm totaling approx. 4,640 feet; 1 reel of 35mm totaling approx. 550 feet.
Language Of Materials
English
Subject
Custodial History
The filmmaker's grandson, Luke Grimm, donated eight reels to Chicago Film Archives in 2017. The remainder of the collection was donated in 2018.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open to on-site access. Appointments must be made with Chicago Film Archives. Due to the fragile nature of the films, only digital copies will be provided for on-site viewing.
Use Restrictions
Chicago Film Archives holds the copyright to films made by MacRae Shannon.
Creators
Shannon, MacRae
(was created by)
MacRae Shannon was born Feb. 26, 1910 in St. Albans, Vermont to James and Margaret MacRae Shannon. As a boy he lived in the East and in the mining country of Canada where his father did safety work. The family later moved to Joliet, Illinois, where he graduated from high school and junior college. He attended the University of Illinois, receiving his bachelor's degree in English and his master's in history. He received his professional degree in educational administration from the University of Wyoming.
In 1935, Shannon joined the Ottawa High School faculty, teaching English and history and supervising the Cadet Corps. The same year, he married Mary Van Steenberg, a teacher. The couple had two daughters, Janeo and Beth. He loved nature, and took his family west during summers in an early camper.
Shannon served in the Navy during World War II, and in 1948 he was named Superintendent of Ottawa Township High School. He served on the state legislative committee of the Illinois Education Association, working principally on school finance. He additionally served on the Ryburn Memorial Hospital Board, was a director of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Ottawa Rotary Club and the Masons.
Shannon was devoted to education, art, scholarship, and music. He was an early supporter of the WPA, and bought several works of art for the high school halls, expressing the importance of youth's exposure to fine art. Shannon passed away in 1965 at the age of 55. A building on the Ottawa High School campus is now named for him.
In 1935, Shannon joined the Ottawa High School faculty, teaching English and history and supervising the Cadet Corps. The same year, he married Mary Van Steenberg, a teacher. The couple had two daughters, Janeo and Beth. He loved nature, and took his family west during summers in an early camper.
Shannon served in the Navy during World War II, and in 1948 he was named Superintendent of Ottawa Township High School. He served on the state legislative committee of the Illinois Education Association, working principally on school finance. He additionally served on the Ryburn Memorial Hospital Board, was a director of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Ottawa Rotary Club and the Masons.
Shannon was devoted to education, art, scholarship, and music. He was an early supporter of the WPA, and bought several works of art for the high school halls, expressing the importance of youth's exposure to fine art. Shannon passed away in 1965 at the age of 55. A building on the Ottawa High School campus is now named for him.