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Learning Places Spring 2016
LIBRARY / ARCHIVE REPORT Laguardia Community College’s Wagner Archives
Abigail Everhart
04.10.2016
INTRODUCTION
On April 4th as a class we visited Laguardia Community College in Queens. We specifically went to
look around the Wagner archives that is located within the college. We were given a lot of interesting
information that is useful to our research as well as information on things that had nothing to do with
what we were focusing on.
PRE-VISIT REFLECTION
While we have visited libraries that provide us with similar information, I am excited to see what is in
store for us at Laguardia Community College. I expect to be provided with maps and possibly random
artifacts that will help with our research. It is interesting to see the similarities and differences
between the locations that we have been to and I am anxious to see what Laguardia Community
College will provide us.
SOURCES found
1. NYCHA Tenant, Harlem River Houses, 1936.
2. https://my.nycha.info/DevPortal/Portal/DevelopmentData
3. Herman R. Campbell, Letter to New York Housing Authority, Langdon Post, July 22, 1937
DOCUMENTATION of site & resources (maps/archival documents/photos)
While at laguardia community college
we were given multiple papers that
had a story behind it. This particular
picture is of a building located in
Harlem. We were given this photo to
interpret and discuss as a group. We
came to the conclusion that it seems a
bit rundown and basic. It is a
residential building with stores at the
bottom. After discussing this photo we
were given the one below to compare.
The picture to the right is the Harlem River Houses in 1936. This was what was planned as relocation for people who live in the building like the one above. As you can see it looks much more modern. There are obvious roads, bridges and trees. The light exterior of the buildings also contributes to the look of modernism. You can also tell that there are courtyards in the middle of the buildings which provides a sense of community.
The picture on the left is a depiction of what the
living conditions were before the Harlem River
Houses were discussed. It is very small and dingy
with poor lighting. There isn’t a big welcoming
feel to this room. This was a great persuasion tool
that was used to get the Harlem River Houses up
and running. The differences between what the
conditions were before and what the conditions
were to be expected allowed for more traction.
The picture below shows what the conditions that
were promised were like.
As you can see, the picture of the man in the
chair is much more appealing that the picture of
the kitchen above. These pictures were used to
ease the minds of the people who were expected
to move into the Harlem River Houses. In the
picture of the man there are beautiful curtains, a
nice bed set and sitting area. While I am not
certain that what was promised was provided,
this was able to begin to allow me to get into the
minds of the families that were going through
this in their lives.
The picture on the left is
another picture that was shown
to tenants who were expected
to move to the Harlem River
Houses. It was to show the
modernism of the project and
also the sense of community. A
courtyard that is accessible to
all gives a more welcoming feel
to the idea. It is a place for
children to play and for
socializing with neighbors. I
believe this was a massive
persuasive tool.
DISCOVERIES
1. Neighborhood History
a. Poor living conditions
b. Lack of community
2. Key Events / Historical Dates
a. Harlem River Houses
b. 1936
3. Public Perception of Key Events
a. Unsure, uneasy
b. After ideas of houses expressed eased minds
4. Important Changes to Neighborhood
a. Harlem River Houses
b. Courtyards
c. Sense of community
5. Other Observations
a. The change of exterior color of homes changed view of many
b. Trees and parks provided helped transition
TOPICS & KEYWORDS
Harlem River Houses, 1936, 1937, courtyards, living conditions, trees, environment, Harlem, NYCHA,
Madison Avenue
QUANTITATIVE DATA for Area of Study
Subject Data
Land Ownership City land
Number of Blocks 4-5
# of Buildings on a Typical Block
Multiple apartment buildings connected
Materials NYCHA photos
# of Stories of Buildings 4-5
Residential Bldgs Above commercial uses
Empty Lots N/A
Commercial Uses Stores at bottom of original housing before HRH
Industrial Uses N/A
Other Data Living conditions were promised to improve
Other Data
Other Data
Other Data
Other Data
QUESTIONS to Research Further
QUESTIONS:
1. What persuaded the Harlem River Houses project?
2. Was there any opposition outside of the people expected to move?
3. How did Laguardia Community College receive this information?
RESEARCH METHOD/ ADDITIONAL SOURCES NEEDED TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION ABOVE:
1. What persuaded the Harlem River Houses project?
a. Poor living conditions
b. http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/developments/manharlemriver.shtml
2. Was there any opposition outside of the people expected to move?
a. Personal letters
b. Herman R. Campbell, Letter to New York Housing Authority, Langdon Post, July 22,
1937
3. How did Laguardia Community College receive this information?
a. Public submissions
b. https://my.nycha.info/DevPortal/Portal/DevelopmentData
SUMMARY / POST VISIT REFLECTION
The visit to Laguardia Community College was very informative. I would not have known the
information that was provided if I had not gone to the visit due to my focus on other topics. While the
information provided wasn’t specific to our topics it was still very interesting to learn about. I believe
that the changes that were occurring in Harlem were similar to the changes in Brooklyn with the
Farragut Housing project.