The Travel Film Archive is a collection of hundreds of travel films recorded between 1900 and 1970. The films were originally recorded to promote various places around the world as tourist destinations. In the archives you will find films about US National Parks, cities across the globe, and cultural events from around the world. The films are a mix of color and black & white footage. The earliest footage is silent while the later footage is narrated. You can view the films on The Travel Film Archive site or on The Travel Film Archive YouTube channel.
Below is a video about New York in 1956.
The Travel Film Archive could be a great place to find footage documenting the way the world was in early and mid 20th Century. Create a collection of films and have students discuss discuss what was perceived to be important or interesting to the people to whom the films were directed.
