A Statewide Inventory of Urban Renewal Records

FAIN: PW-269343-20

New York State Archives Partnership Trust (Albany, NY 12230-0001)
David Paul Hochfelder (Project Director: July 2019 to present)

An online statewide inventory of municipal records documenting urban renewal in New York from 1949 to 1974, to facilitate planning for the digitization of the materials.

Urban renewal was one of the most important—and controversial—domestic policies in our nation’s history. Between 1949 and 1974, the federal government spent over $7 billion to revitalize more than 1,200 cities struggling with economic and population decline. Yet—except for a handful of cities—we know surprisingly little about urban renewal’s history and legacy. This project seeks funding of $52,029 ($46,420 for the core project plus $5,609 for inter-institutional partnerships) at the Foundations level to create a statewide inventory of locally-held urban renewal records for New York State, with the ultimate goal of digitizing selected records. This inventory and eventual digital collection will improve scholarly and public understanding of the lasting impact of urban renewal in our communities.

Associated Products

Toward a Social History of Urban Renewal (Book Section)
Title: Toward a Social History of Urban Renewal
Author: David Hochfelder
Editor: Douglas R. Appler
Abstract: Discussion of how to use local and state archival resources to research the history of urban renewal.
Year: 2023
Access Model: book
Publisher: Temple University Press
Book Title: The Many Geographies of Urban Renewal: New Perspectives on the Housing Act of 1949
ISBN: 978-1-4399-217

Urban Renewal in Saratoga Springs (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Urban Renewal in Saratoga Springs
Abstract: Presentation about the history of urban renewal in Saratoga Springs
Author: David Hochfelder
Date: 01/14/2023
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY

Teaching Civic Engagement through the Lens of Urban Renewal - A ConsidertheSourceNY.org Diversity and Collaborative Knowledge workshop (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Teaching Civic Engagement through the Lens of Urban Renewal - A ConsidertheSourceNY.org Diversity and Collaborative Knowledge workshop
Abstract: Presentation on using urban renewal records from Newburgh and other locations to teach civic engagement
Author: David Hochfelder
Date: 05/25/2023
Location: New Paltz, NY

Renewed or Ruined? Teaching Urban Renewal in New York State (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Renewed or Ruined? Teaching Urban Renewal in New York State
Abstract: Online teacher workshop on using urban renewal records in the classroom.
Author: David Hochfelder
Date: 05/10/2023
Location: online

Civic Engagement and Urban Renewal in Newburgh, NY (Web Resource)
Title: Civic Engagement and Urban Renewal in Newburgh, NY
Author: David Hochfelder
Author: Jordan Jace
Abstract: Lesson plan for teaching civic engagement using urban renewal records.
Year: 2023
Primary URL: https://considerthesourceny.org/activity/civic-engagement-and-urban-renewal-newburgh-ny

Renewed or Ruined? Urban Renewal in New York State (Web Resource)
Title: Renewed or Ruined? Urban Renewal in New York State
Author: David Hochfelder
Author: Jordan Jace
Abstract: Lesson plan focusing on using urban renewal records to facilitate Chronological Reasoning and Causation
Year: 2023
Primary URL: https://considerthesourceny.org/activity/renewed-or-ruined-urban-renewal-new-york-state

---