[1927 DUTCHESS COUNTY NEW YORK FLAGLER FAMILY HOME MOVIE ]

This silent 16mm home movie from the Flagler family of New York dates to 1927. It captures the simple joys of family life in that era. The Flaglers were a prominent family of Upper Hudson Valley’s Dutchess County in New York known for their large estates and close ties to the horse show community. Dutchess County has a rich history embedded in the equestrian industry born through necessity for trade and transportation later evolving into sport, recreation and a means to preserve rural life values. The film shows a life lived and loved among horses and canines featuring personal images of family members for keepsake purposes. It appears to include the Flagler’s in portions of Virginia either visiting family or friends. Red Oak is an unincorporated community of Charlotte County, Virginia.

00:00 Film opens with a young rider atop a pony (:11). A relative approaches and pulls the boy off (:18). Panoramic shots capture the family’s home (:22). Youth run up the sidewalk (:32). The family car; a Chrysler (:32) drives from the outdoor garage. Women in elegant dress pose in a row holding bouquets (:39). Footage sweeps the grounds (1:34-1:39). A man within the greenhouse points to various plants (1:41). Another in a vest and newsboy hat bends over flower pots (2:02). A stream of guests enter the greenhouse (2:09). A woman picks at flowers in the yard (2:22). A pair of girls in cloche style hats (2:25) walk from the stoop waving at the camera. A family member dances for the filmmaker (2:32). A group loads into the family car (2:36). They tour plants outside of the greenhouse (3:03). Comic scenes show a woman and young boy playing; the boys sits atop her shoulders giving the illusion of being a very tall child (3:23). Wide shots show the woman’s legs kicking underneath the jacket (3:44). A child runs for the camera in an oversized suit and top hat (3:53). He rides atop the family dog (4:09). Another family member toys with a cane (4:16). A youth walks through thick snow (4:29). Young women pose happily in short bob cuts (4:37). A rider on horse back moves down a dirt path (4:47) as dogs run along the grass. A mother carts her child on a ride (4:53) highlighting the family’s close ties with the equine as youth are introduced early. A young child shares an ice cream cone with a dog (5:02). The child and the dog smile; the former with an ice cream mustache holding the stub of the cone (5:43). A girl jumps and entertains the camera playing with another dog (6:20). A man tugs a cart with a kid and dog atop towards the barn area (6:44). Personal shots capture boy’s faces (7:13). Family members form a human pyramid and fall apart on the lawn (7:43). Kids play horse with adults (8:59) and jump rope (9:05). A boy whips his lasso in rodeo gear (9:44-9:56). Holiday images capture a girl in costume makeup by the tree (10:15). An outdoor play follows (10:25). A woman featured in a number of the family’s personal films who is likely a child named Sarah’s mother sits with dogs in the back of a truck (11:31). Youth read the paper (11:54) and write at the desk (12:04). A triage pose in fur lined jackets (12:28). The group dances with linked arms (13:35). Winter scenes feature an icy water way (14:40) and frozen waterfall (14:55). A couple chats at the camera (15:06). Three gather on the balcony (15:20). The film concludes with personal and crisp images of women (15:35-15:52), a couple hugging and playing together (16:09) and a young boy with a puppy (16:16).