Included amidst footage of FDR and bombing raids on Berlin that Google has recently been putting online for the National Archives is a schmaltzy 1936 promotional video for Minnesota and its state park system. The video, highlighting the work being done at that time by the Civilian Conservation Corps, whose buildings are now considered by many the cornerstone of the state park “feel,” describes how Minnesotans relish their eight state parks (there are 72 parks and state recreational areas today) for their ability to “induce complete relaxation and rest.”
To Rest and Play
Feb 24 2006 — 2:00am
6 Reader Comments
1:38 pm
Play this video over and over and over. I think I may have a seizure….
2:24 pm
Well, this is the land of sky blue waters. The landy of pines, lofty balsam.
3:14 pm
Cool discovery. Ah, I remember 1936 just like it was yesterday…
7:24 pm
The Ministry of Cultural Warfare (my theater company, in the interest of full disclosure) used a bunch of ephemeral industrials from The Prelinger Archives for one of our shows. Do take a look through his collection – it’s fantastic…from old PSAs about sexuality and women in the workplace to the old “Duck and Cover” tutorial with Bert the Turtle.
10:12 am
I have also used the Prelinger archives for my Sailor Martin movies.
10:19 am
I like the way people got dressed up to go to the lake!