Public Oral History Archive
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Allen Schwartz
Allen Schwartz and his family moved to Jane Addams Homes during World War II, into a one bedroom apartment. He recalls the good and bad of his neighborhood and surrounding areas, ranging from a close-knit community to bullyi…
Content warnings: derogatory terms used, overt racismPronouns: he/himPublic Housing Complex(es): Jane Addams HomesThemes: Judaism, anti-semitism, racism, family, neighborhood changes, White FlightPrimary Location(s): Jane Addams Homes, Little Italy, Garden Theater, Budong Woods, Forest Preserves, Taylor St., Roosevelt Ave, Racine Ave, Morgan StPrimary Time Period(s): 1943–1953 -
Crystal Palmer
In this oral history Crystal describes her experience growing up in the Henry Horner Homes and having a challenging and tragic childhood. Crystal eventually begins working in Chicago Public Housing as a janitor, and ultimate…
Content warnings: death, drug/alcohol addiction, domestic violence, colorismPronouns: she/her/hersPublic Housing Complex(es): Henry Horner Homes, West HavenThemes: overcoming adversity, Drug AddictionPrimary Location(s): Chicago, ILPrimary Time Period(s): 1960s-2000s -
Mr. Danté
Dante lived in public housing from the time of his birth until the age of 18. He never felt any stigma associated with his home and has very positive memories of the experience. His father organized the neighborhood social c…
Content warnings: NonePronouns: he/him/hisPublic Housing Complex(es): Garden Valley Neighborhood House, Ohio Metropolitan Housing AuthorityThemes: neighborhood social club, community support, publishing industry, entrepreneurship, positive experience in public housing, community activistPrimary Location(s): Kinsman Road, Chicago, New York, Garden Valley Neighborhood House Community Center, East Technical High SchoolPrimary Time Period(s): 1961–present -
Daphany Rose Sanchez
In this oral history, Daphany talks about her experience growing up in public housing and her journey within learning about the history of said housing with hopes to move towards humanizing the residencies. Since the age of …
Content warnings: NonePronouns: she/her/hersPublic Housing Complex(es): Marcy Houses, Cooper Park HousesThemes: Climate Change, Environmental Racism, Gentrification, Housing, Entrepreneurship, Intergenerational Public HousingPrimary Location(s): Brooklyn, NY, New York CityPrimary Time Period(s): 1990s-2021 -
Hatch Sisters Group Interview
This interview features sisters Anna, Jennie, and Rhoda Hatch and their retelling of what it was like growing up in Jane Addams. The trio excitedly shares their perspectives of childhood, schooling, and the swift changes of …
Content warnings: Death, physical violence, houselessnessPronouns: NonePublic Housing Complex(es): Jane Addams Homes, ABLA HomesThemes: Family, TogethernessPrimary Location(s): Chicago, Jane Addams HomesPrimary Time Period(s): 1960s-1970s -
Janetta Pegues
In this oral history, Janetta shares memories about living in the Jane Addams homes where she remembers all great memories of her family and community garden. She speaks highly on her family and their strong religious connec…
Content warnings: DeathPronouns: she/her/hersPublic Housing Complex(es): Jane Addams Homes, also known as “The Village”, ABLA HomesThemes: Religious Beliefs, Great Migration, Entrepreneurship, Gardening, FeastingPrimary Location(s): ChicagoPrimary Time Period(s): 1960s–1982 -
Janetta Pegues & Allen Schwartz Joint Interview
In this oral history, narrators Janetta and Allen share their memories of growing up in public housing and life on Taylor Street. With varying timelines and viewpoints of their homes, the narrators take turns sharing how thi…
Content warnings: NonePronouns: she/her (Janetta); he/him (Allen)Public Housing Complex(es): Jane Addams Homes, ABLA, aka “The Village”Themes: gentrification, neighborhood change, racial equity, communityPrimary Location(s): Near West Side, Chicago, “The Village” aka ABLAPrimary Time Period(s): 1940s–1980s -
Mary Baggett
In this Oral history Miss Baggett discusses being a resident of ABLA public housing. She describes the changes of the community as a result of gentrification and how market rate and mixed income housing differed from ABLA pu…
Content warnings: NonePronouns: Miss BlugiePublic Housing Complex(es): Jane Addams Homes, Brooks Homes, ABLA HomesThemes: Demolition, Eviction, Mixed Income, Section 8Primary Location(s): Chicago, ILPrimary Time Period(s): 2002–present (Brooks Homes) -
Ramona Ferreyra
Ramona speaks about finishing college & Moving back in with her grandmother to pursue her careers. As troubling times occur she expresses how losing people can change everything. Ramona took initiative to help for her co…
Content warnings: death, police interactions, overt racismPronouns: she/herPublic Housing Complex(es): Senior Public Housing, Mitchel HousesThemes: Housing Rights Activist, Gentrification, Environmental Housing Issues, Community OrganizingPrimary Location(s): Bronx, New York City, Mott HavenPrimary Time Period(s): 2002-2021 -
Sokeo Ros
Sokeo Ros shares his early experience escaping from genocide from his motherland of Cambodia. He along with his family fled to a Thai refugee camp. After moving a few times, Sokeo describes moving into a traumatizing neighbo…
Content warnings: death, physical violence, gang violencePronouns: he/himPublic Housing Complex(es): Rhode Island Housing Authority, Des Moines Municipal Housing AgencyThemes: Culture, diversity, Thailand Refugee Camp, Cambodian Civil War and Genocide, Experiencing and Coping with TraumaPrimary Location(s): Iowa, Providence, Rhode Island (West End), CaliforniaPrimary Time Period(s): 1980s–2000s