The donation of an important collection, consisting primarily of photographs and films, by Jim Webster and Continental Film came just when CHC was researching Chattanooga’s business and industrial history in preparation for designing its new permanent exhibit.
“This collection,” said Webster, “represents many current and former businesses and organizations in the area as Continental helped them tell their stories, train their employees, and market their products and services. Represented ... are films from American Lava, Crane, Combustion Engineering, Brock Candy Company, Bowater, the Industrial Committee of 100, the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, Krystal, Coca-Cola, TVA, Dixie Youth Baseball, and many others. We recognized that these materials are historically unique. While the featured companies at the time were focused on the future and hopes of their organizations, Continental's archive provides unique windows on the past in terms of technologies, fashions, styles, environmental concerns, and daily life. As the CHC moves toward its goal of establishing first-class exhibits and learning resources, Continental is very glad to be a contributor.”
CHC Executive Director and Curator, Dr. Daryl Black commented on the collection: “This is an exciting addition to our resource base. It gives us unprecedented insights into mid-twentieth century business and industry. These are the kinds of images curators dream of, and they will provide a significant component to our storytelling ability.”
Pictured in a photograph from the donated collection:
A Continental Film crew films an employee training piece
for The Krystal Company in the 1950’s.
