"Footage of the arrival the World War I era tank dubbed the America to what was then the Drill Hall, now Barton Hall, on the Cornell campus, April 16, 1926. The tank is seen driving up through campus. The tank # T9128 was a British Mark V tank. It’s donation by the British War Office was arranged by Louis Livingston Seaman class of 1872 who served in World War I. The tank served in a number of battles in the Great War including at St. Mihiel. It lived outside and was later moved inside Barton Hall. In 1938 a student was trapped inside the tank overnight and shortly thereafter it was sold for $300, $10 a ton, and cut up with torches for scrap.
Footage of the tank being loaded onto the Cunard ship Varduliq on its way to Cornell from London is available at the British Pathé website under the title Tank As War Souvenir, film number #458.34.
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/tank-as-war-souvenir/
Later footage shows a brief clip of campus from Cascadilla Bridge. What follows is footage probably of the semi-annual review of the R.O.T.C. which took place on May 14, 1926 on upper alumni field following a presentation and acceptance of the tank at Barton Hall. Professors from the Reserve Officers Training Corps are seen with, left to right, President Livingston Farrand, unknown officer, Margaret Kate Carleton "Daisy" Farrand (Livingston’s wife), Margaret Propert Farrand (Livingston’s daughter), possibly Lieutenant Colonel William Applegate Castle and Colonel Jesse Crook Nicholls. They are seen presenting Cornell cadets trophies for achievement. The names of those awarded are listed in the May 15, 1926 Cornell Daily Sun. Margaret Farrand then presents a new Field Artillery standard banner that was a gift of Major Seaman. The cadet band is seen marching along with the rest of the troops. Artillery cannons are then seen firing into Cayuga Lake. At the 6:30 mark the crew is seen rowing on the inlet. At the 7:05 mark another film starts that shows a different R.O.T.C review, probably from the same time period ca. 1925. The mustachioed man with the cane is probably Major Louis Livingston Seaman. Farrand and daughters and Castle and Nicholls may also appear. The cadets are seen marching on alumni field with the band followed by horse drawn artillery pieces. Following this is footage from a different film showing what may be the polo or equestrian team engaging in horse jumping, agility training, and a polo match. The next clip shows troops doing physical exercise training outside Barton Hall and then rifle training inside. The next clip shows women students participating in archery outside of Sage Hall. A short clip of a cloud is then shown. Lastly is a film showing the 1926 demolition of the chimney of the College of Agriculture heating plant near Forest Home. Workers are seen removing bricks at the base of the chimney and likely inserting dynamite white spectators watch in the snow. Cars can be seen. The smokestack then collapses and people are seen on the rubble pile. The bricks were later offered for sale.
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