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    Allen Schwartz

    Content Warnings: derogatory terms used, overt racism

    Audio Quality Notes: The interviewer’s audio is not as loud as the narrator’s.

    At a Glance

    Public Housing Residency: Jane Addams Homes

    Themes: Judaism, anti-semitism, racism, family, neighborhood changes, White Flight

    Content Warnings: derogatory terms used, overt racism

    Primary time periods: 1943–1953

    Primary locations: Jane Addams Homes, Little Italy, Garden Theater, Budong Woods, Forest Preserves, Taylor St., Roosevelt Ave, Racine Ave, Morgan St

    Keywords: neighborhood, “the projects”, shame, guilt, fighting, birth, poverty, Jewish, parents

    Descriptive Context

    Interview Summary

    Content Warnings: derogatory terms used, overt racism

    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 bullying and racism from others. Throughout his childhood, Allen recognized the changes in demographics and the deterioration of the Jane Addams Homes. Reflecting on his lived experience in public housing, Allen recognizes the impact and importance living in Jane Addams Homes had on his life and others.

    About the Narrator

    Narrator Full Name: Allen Schwartz

    Narrator pronouns: he/him

    Refer to as: None

    Self-identified race and/or ethnicity: White, Jewish

    Biographical Context:

    I was born and raised in the projects in Chicago, and I now live on the Near North side of the city in a condominium that I own. I retired from a career with the federal government. In retirement, I have been very fortunate to be involved with the great Theatre scene that we have here,  and I have also been an architecture tour guide. I am passionate about the arts. Theatre, dance, architecture, Fine Art, add a great deal of pleasure to my life. I am also a foodie and enjoy good food and, occasionally, some nice wine. I’ve also been lucky enough to have traveled extensively to many parts of the world. My volunteer activity, which continues to this day, involves Chicago’s Theatre scene, and acting as a Greeter for visitors to Chicago.

    Life Dates:
    • Birth: 1943
    About the Interview

    Interviewer: Francesco De Salvatore

    Date of Interview: 2017-11-09

    Method of Interview: in-person

    Location of Interview: Chicago

    Language: English

    Duration: 00:49:28

    Formats Available: None

    Audio Quality and other notes: The interviewer’s audio is not as loud as the narrator’s.

    Post-Production by: Cosmo J., Hannah Barg, Sharon Lanza

    Contextual Information Last Updated: 2024-09-05

    Time-Stamped Index

    No index available for this file.

    Access and Use Guidelines

    Access Level: public

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    Bibliography Example

    Pegues, Janetta Sue. Interviewed by Francesco De Salvatore. National Public Housing Museum Oral History Archive, [insert URL], recorded June 18, 2018, accessed June 2, 2024: pp. 10-15.

    Bibliography Format

    [NarratorFullName in Last, First Middle order]. Interviewed by [InterviewerFullName in First Middle Last Order]. National Public Housing Museum Oral History Archive, [insert URL], recorded [write out full date of interview], accessed [write out full date of most recent access]: pp. [pages of transcript cited]. 

    Footnote Example

    Janetta Sue Pegues, interviewed by Francesco De Salvatore, National Public Housing Museum Oral History Archive, [insert URL], recorded June 18, 2018, accessed June 2, 2024: pp. 10-15. 

    Footnote Format

    [NarratorFullName in First Middle Last Order], interviewed by [InterviewerFullName in First Middle Last Order] National Public Housing Museum Oral History Archive, [insert URL], recorded [write out full date of interview], accessed [write out full date of most recent access]: pp. [pages of transcript cited]. 

    Transcript and Supplemental Attachments
    None

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