Chicago Commons Association collection of additional photographs [graphic], ca. 1896-1979.

at Chicago History Museum, Research Center

Accession #: 1980.0315

Call#: 1980.0315 PPL;

248 photographic prints : b&w ; 14 x 17 1/4 in. (36 x 44 cm.) or smaller.

Call#: 1980.0315 PPN-0097:

15 negatives : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller.

Call#: 1980.0315 PNG:

1 folder of non-graphic material.

Description of the Collection

Includes photographs documenting people, facilities and activities of the CCA. Adults and children are shown participating in educational groups, theatrical productions and a few athletic activities. Women are shown in group portraits and doing handicraft. Identified ethnic groups are Italian, Norwegian and (after 1940) African Americans. One photo series (ca. 1965-1979) shows social workers Rev. John Russell and William Brueckner with teenagers of African American, Puerto Rican and Polish descent some of which belong to street gangs in the vicinity of Grand Avenue and Division Street.

This material was transferred from Archives & Manuscripts sometime after the first two lots arrived in the Prints & Photographs Department in 1980.

The 11 x 14 in. box contains similar material to that found in the previous accession--early photographs (ca. 1896-1940) of the activities, people and neighborhood around the Chicago Commons settlement houses. The larger boxes contain photoprints from ca. 1965-1979. These seem to be part of a photo essay or documentary project. Some bear caption information and one or more numerical sequences.

The broadside or label identifies one partial series as "Reaching Out," about the interaction between newcomers and social workers. The social workers involved are Rev. John Russell and William Bruekner who are working on the near West side, around Grand Avenue and Division Street. Photographs show children and teenagers of Afro-American, Puerto Rican and Polish descent some of which belong to street gangs.

Storage: Box Lot (1 11 x 14 in. box, 2 16 x 20 in. boxes)

List of contents of the collection:

Call#: 1980.0315 PPL

Box 1

1 Activities -- Adults

2 Activities -- Children

3 Activities -- Musical and theatrical productions

4 Activities -- Women

5 Facilities

6 Military [parade]

7 Neighborhood

8 People

9 People -- Children

Box 2

1-3 Social workers with children / teenagers

Box 3

1 Broadside "Reaching Out"

2 "Reaching Out" [partial] series, with captions

3 Social workers with children / teenagers

Call#: 1980.0315 PPN-0097

All negatives are copy negatives; 1-14 are 4 x 5 in.; 15 is 8 x 10 in.

1 Afro-American man

2-3 Lea Taylor?

4 Lea Taylor

5 Neighborhood -- Morgan Street

6-7 Neighborhood alley

8-9 Chicago Commons -- 955 W. Grand Ave.

10 Chicago Commons -- Old Commons interior

11 Social worker in locker room with teenage boys

12 Social worker with teenagers

13 Social workers

14 Street scene with social worker and children

15 Children at fire hydrant

January 9, 1990

dmr