Out of the Archives, Season 1

Season 1 of Out of the Archives offers episodes 1–12, 15, and 17.

The season focuses its curation around unique themes, such as sports or entrepreneurship practices in public housing.

Season 1 Episodes

Episode 1

In this episode, “Surviving and Thriving in Public Housing,” narrators share stories of innovative entrepreneurship found in public housing complexes across Chicago. Narrators recall buying candy from trucks outside of the Cabrini-Green Homes, a watermelon man from the ABLA community, and an artist named Milton Reed, known as the Diego Rivera of the projects, who used his talent to beautify his community.

Narrators: Harold Brown, Liz Thompson, Milton Reed, Godfrey Bey, and Chalonda McIntosh

Episode 2

In this episode, “Bringing the Outdoors In,” narrators shares stories of community and compassion found in public housing. Storytellers recall the playgrounds found in New York City public housing, having neighbors feel like family, and gaining respect through sports, as well as through fighting.

Episode 2 was revisited and expanded in Season 3.

Narrators (with links to full-length interviews): Betty Howard, Tommy Woods, Phil Ayala, Janetta Pegues, Sunny Fischer, and LeeRoy Murphy

Episode 3

This episode, “Ordinary But Extraordinary” takes cues from our 2018 exhibition History Lessons: Everyday Objects from Chicago Public Housing, and looks to show the importance of everyday stories and their ability to deepen our understanding of American history.

Narrators (with links to full-length interviews): Raymond “Shaq” McDonald, Claudice Ware, H. Demetrius Bonner, Juanita Stevenson, Crystal Tininia Palmer-White, and Allen Schwartz.

Episode 4

In this episode, “Black is Beautiful: Reflections on Arts, Culture, and Activism,” current and former public housing residents share a range of stories that exemplify not only that Black Lives Matter, but are creative, full of joy, courageous, and essential.

Narrators (with links to full-length interviews): Raymond “Shaq” McDonald, Francine Washington, Mary Baggett, Bruce Wilkerson, Fred Cash, Sequane Lawrence, and Congressman Bobby L. Rush.

Episode 5

In this episode, “Play Ball: Sports and Athletics in Public Housing,” former public housing residents and housing authority workers, share a range of stories about how late-night games of basketball would make a positive impact on communities and how diligent practicing could be life-changing.

Episode 5 was revisited and expanded in Season 3.

Narrators (with links to full-length interviews): LeeRoy Murphy, Gil Walker, James Purgatorio, and Tanisha Wright.

Episode 6

In this episode, “Taking Care of Us: Community Care in Public Housing,” the Museum’s summer 2020 interns from Roosevelt University made selections from their favorite parts of the museum’s oral history collection, which collectively discuss the ways our communities shape us. The intern team included Skye Darke, Victoria Limon, River Toomer, and James Wilson.

Narrators: JonTia Pegues, Domenica Abbott, Phron Freeman, and Kimberly Wellington.

Episode 7

In this episode, “A Change of Season: Resident Adaption and Resilience” looks at the changing of the Little Italy neighborhood over the years, finding housing in a big city, resident dance parties, and more.

Narrators: Ida Brantley, Ned Lufrano, Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr., and Liz Torres.

Episode 8

In this episode of Out of the Archives, “We’re Connected to Everybody: Connecting Stories, Connecting Dots,” narrators share stories of quarter parties that were organized in the Henry Horner Homes to help residents pay for their rent, finding the good in a community when you’re in a difficult time, and a family’s first television set at the Lathrop Homes.

Narrators (with links to full-length interviews): Harold Brown, Sunny Fischer, Dr. Cranston Sedrick Knight, John Pettiford, and Trudy Mendoza.

Episode 9

In this episode, “Close to Home: Reflections on the Animal Court,” we celebrate the end of 2020, we share a selection of stories that are central to old fixture of the Museum’s home in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood: the Edgar Miller Animal Court. You’ll hear from residents as they share stories reminiscing on the animal sculptures designed and created by Edgar Miller during the 1930s, reflecting on it as a meeting ground and landmark for generations of ABLA residents.

Check out the restored animal sculptures when you visit the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago!

Narrators: JonTia Pegues, Marquita Gandy, Gloria White, Byron Dickens, James Purgatorio, Phron Freeman, and Duane D. Crockett.

Episode 10

In this episode of Out of the Archives, “Black is Beautiful Two: Reflections on Family, Activism, and Perseverance” we celebrate Black History Month by continuing the narrative from our June 2020 episode by the same name, which highlights stories from the Black community. You’ll hear about one storyteller’s development as a community organizer, finding strength in family in the face of difficulties, and more.

Narrators (with links to full-length interviews): Collette Payne, H. Demetrius Bonner, Willie “J.R.” Fleming, DaVida Rowley-Blackman, Delores Van Pelt, and Michael Miles.

Episode 11

In this episode, “Silent Voices Among Us: Stories from Chicago’s Henry Horner Homes,” we share stories from residents of the Henry Horner Homes, known to many of its residents as the Hornets. The stories range from different experiences in the early years to moving out during demolition.

Check out our online exhibition of the same name, with photographs by Dr. Cranston Knight.

Narrators (with links to full-length interviews): Crystal Palmer, Marina Pullom, Patricia Smith, John Pettiford, Sharon Leggitt, and Maria Moon.

Episode 12

In this episode, “Full of Life: Learning and Personal Growth,” we feature stories about finding yourself through the arts and recreation, reclaiming and growing after trauma, and more.

Episode 12 was revisited and expanded in Season 3.

Narrators (with links to full-length interviews): Ben Baker, Henry Warfield, Sokeo Ros, Marquita Gandy, Nakia Herron, and Olga Molina.

Episode 15

This episode, “Candyman was a Candyman: People of Cabrini Green,” was co-curated by the Chicago History Museum and is set in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green community. Narrators from the community share their experiences of life in Cabrini Green, with stories including residents’ creative aspirations, an uneasy gang truce after the murder of 7-year old Dantrell Davis, the ins and outs of socializing in school, as well as insight to who the infamous Candyman really was.

Narrators (with links to full-length interviews): Raymond “Shaq” McDonald, Katherine Davis, Betty Howard, Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., Roger Prosise, Tenika Chew, Willie “J.R.” Fleming, and Delores Van Pelt.

Episode 17

In this episode, “My Heart Was in It: Holidays in Public Housing,” narrators share a range of stories about their memories of the end of year holidays in the projects. You’ll hear about hallway decoration competitions in New York City Public Housing, special gifts, and a family’s decision to donate to those who have less.

Narrators (with links to full-length interviews): Lynn Adell Bowens, Katherine Davis, Sunny Fischer, Ida Brantley, Kimberly Wellington, Diane Rizzi, Carol Rizzi, Deonte Black, and Brenda Taylor.

About our team

Season 1 of Out of the Archives is written and produced by the National Public Housing Museum and mixed and mastered by Seth Engel.

Our theme song, “Born in the Blues,” was written, performed, and recorded by Keith Hudson, a former Stateway Gardens resident.

The logo was designed by Andy Hendricks.

Support

Out of the Archives is made possible through the generous support of the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.