UA Researchers Seek Old UA Films

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two University of Arkansas professors are producing a documentary titled “Beacon of Hope, the Story of the University of Arkansas.” Dale Carpenter and Larry Foley of the Walter J. Lemke Department of Journalism have been commissioned to make this 30-minute film that will cover such topics as the decision to locate the university in Fayetteville, the building of Old Main, the real story behind Senior Walk and the unique myths, legends and traditions on campus. 

Foley and Carpenter are seeking old films of the University of Arkansas dating before 1970. Of particular interest is a “lost” 1,000-foot film made by a Fort Smith photographer in 1922 and shown at movie houses in Arkansas. 

Materials collected for “Beacon of Hope” will be turned over to the Special Collections department of Mullins Library and archived for future research and creative endeavors.

Tom W. Dillard, head of the Special Collections department at the University of Arkansas Libraries, said he hopes the film project will help his department build its collections on the history of the university.

“Moving pictures have been produced in Arkansas for a century or more, yet only in recent years has an effort been made to seek out old videos for the archives,” Dillard said. “We hope folks will go through their attics and closets, and seek out home videos as well as those more professionally done.”

Dillard said the films can be copied by the archives, with the originals being returned to the owner if needed.

A segment of the Foley-Carpenter film will be previewed this October, and the entire film will be completed for release in fall 2007.

If you have film footage or other historical information on the University of Arkansas, please contact Foley at lfoley@uark.edu, 479-575-6307.