Collection ID:

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Robert D. Smith
Abstract:
The Robert D. Smith Papers document Smith’s involvement with community organizing in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Schoharie County, New York from the 1960’s to the 1990’s. The bulk of the papers are community proposals and articles pertaining to community organization. Smith’s experiences related through articles and reports as well as his documented association with Saul Alinsky are highlights of the collection.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and Content:

The papers document Smith’s career as a community organizer. The collection contains community proposals and articles written by various organizers primarily during the 1960’s. The proposals are from Smith’s time in Chicago, Washington D.C. and Schoharie County in New York State. Correspondence and other personal related documents are a small subset of the papers. The articles and reports written by Smith as well as news clippings are essential in understanding Smith’s role in community organization from the 1960’s to the 1990’s.

Of note in the papers are Smith’s collection of materials on Saul Alinsky, including letters and memos from his Alinsky and Alinsky’s office.

Biographical / Historical:

As part of his post-seminary work, Reverend Robert D. Smith, was appointed to the Northwest Community Organization in Chicago, Illinois as a community organization trainee in 1963. Five year later, Smith would accept a job as the Executive Director of the Capitol East Foundation in Washington, D. C.

In the early 1970’s, Smith moved to Schoharie County in New York State. He continued his involvement in community issues in the region into the 1990’s.

Robert D. Smith currently lives in Elmira, N.Y.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

Unrestricted

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Unrestricted

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
Gannett-Tripp Library
One Park Place
Elmira, NY 14901, United States
CONTACT: