The auxiliary gift shop at Texas County Memorial Hospital is selling a DVD of the recently discovered movie featuring the dedication of the hospital.
The black and white film from Nov. 25, 1958, was given by the family of former Cabool businessman Lee Kirkwood to Jim Montgomery for his collection of former President Harry S Truman memorabilia. The film was found among other old 16 mm films owned by the Kirkwood family. Lee Kirkwood was a member of the TCMH board of trustees when the hospital opened its doors.
Exact origin of the film is unknown, but the Houston Herald, one of many newspapers that chronicled the TCMH dedication, noted that a Texas County delegation involved in the dedication of the hospital had a film made of the event for possible use on television.
The film features approximately 45 minutes of footage, President Truman’s dedication address, several area school bands marching in the dedication parade, numerous scenes of Houston the day of the dedication and various Texas County vocations such as a saw mill in Success, a beef cattle farm in Simmons and the dairy plant in Cabool.
Houston residents Omanez Fockler and Mike Manier were recently featured on a Springfield television news program talking about the historical film and identifying former and current Texas County residents that are captured on film.
“The Montgomery family has given us permission to sell copies of this film, and it’s with great pride that we make this piece of history available to the public,” said Wes Murray, chief executive officer at TCMH.
Murray noted that the movie captures the pride that towns throughout the county felt in opening their own hospital and in having a former president present at the dedication ceremony.
“We’ve had the opportunity to show the film to select residents of the county and to our employees,” Murray explained. “Many people have recognized others in the film or even saw themselves participating in the dedication. This a historical treasure for the hospital and for the citizens of Texas County.”
According the Herald, about 5,000 area residents attended the dedication ceremony. Students from Licking, Cabool, Houston, Mountain Grove, Willow Springs, Plato and Summersville attended and participated in the parade.
The film does not have original sound, but music has been added to the DVD. There are no credits or other identifying elements on the film.
The auxiliary has a limited supply of the DVDs, and they are for sale to the public for $10. Profit from the DVD sales will support the TCMH Auxiliary, which funds special projects and needs of the hospital.
For additional information, contact Joleen Senter Durham, TCMH director of public relations, at 417-967-1258 or joleen@tcmh.org.