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Robert W. Crawford Papers

Collection ID

Acc. 461

Collecting Areas

Description

Collection Summary

Title
Robert W. Crawford Papers

Dates
1906, 1932-1980        

Collection ID
Acc. 461

Creator
Crawford, Robert W.

Quantity
12 linear feet (7 boxes)          

Repository
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries

Language
Materials in English.         

Detailed Collection Information

Biographical Note

1906 Born on April 11th in Maryland and raised in Iowa

1929 Graduated from DeMoines University with a Bachelor of Science degree

1934 Attended New York University and the National Recreation School

1934-1940 Superintendent of recreation in Hastings-on-the-Hudson, New York

1940-1944 Superintendent of recreation in Montclair, New Jersey

1944-1946 Welfare officer and director of recreation in the Navy

1946-1952 Superintendent of recreation in Oakland, California

1952-1955 Deputy commissioner and superintendent of recreation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1955-1981 Commissioner of recreation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1970-1981 Chairman of Fairmount Park Commission

1976 Received the Philadelphia Award

1994 Received the first World Leisure and Recreation Association Excellence in Leadership Award

1995 Died April 11th of heart failure in Walnut Creek, California

Accomplishments included: Past President of the National Recreation and Park Association and life member of its trustees board Co-founder and former executive director of the National Recreation Foundation Philadelphia's recreational facilities grew from 94 to 815 under Crawford's leadership Credited with developing programs for the elderly, preschoolers, and the handicapped.

Description of Collection

The Robert W. Crawford Papers, 1906, 1932-1980, consist almost entirely of Crawford's professional papers. The material includes bulletins, clippings, correspondence, class notes, speech material, blueprints, a scrapbook, and photographs. The bulk of the collection is material relating to various types of recreational activities. Most of this material was collected during his early years as superintendent of recreation in Hastings on Hudson, New York, and Montclair, New Jersey. There is also some material from his time as director of recreation for the Navy during and just after World War II, and as superintendent of recreation in Oakland, California. Only a small portion of the collection is devoted to his time as commissioner of recreation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, although there are numerous loose photographs from this time period.

Organization and Arrangement

The collection is organized into 6 series as follows:

Series 1:  Personal Background and Interests, 1932-1984
Series 2:  Published and Unpublished Writings on Community Recreation, 1915-1980
Series 3:  Recreation at Specific Locations, 1906-1979
Series 4:  Society of Recreation Workers of America, 1934-1944
Series 5:  Community Recreation Services, 1927-1956
Series 6:  Photographs, 1936-1968

Series 1:  Personal Background and Interests, 1932-1984, contains class notes, professional papers, bulletins, and documents.

Series 2:  Published and Unpublished Writings on Community Recreation, 1915-1980, contains correspondence, memoranda, news clippings, published articles, professional papers, work-related periodicals, speech material, and speeches.

Series 3:  Recreation at Specific Locations, 1906-1979, contains publications, bulletins, annual and monthly reports, a professional diary, published articles, new clippings, photographs, surveys, and professional papers.
Series 4:  Society of Recreation Workers of America, 1934-1944, contains correspondence, bulletins, reports, records, and publications.

Series 5:  Community Recreation Services, 1927-1956, contains bulletins, blueprints, correspondence, records, forms, lectures, sketches, annual reports, and questionnaires.

Series 6: Photographs, 1936-1968, undated, contains various photographs.

Patron Information

Research Access

Collection is open for research.

Collections Stored Off-Site

This collection may be housed off-site at the Library Depository, and require up to two business days to retrieve. Please review the finding aid and be prepared to identify specific materials to be retrieved. Contact the Special Collections Research Center in advance of your visit, so that materials may be relocated to the reading room for research.

Publication and Copyright Information

The Robert W. Crawford Papers are the physical property of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.

Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Robert W. Crawford Papers, Accession 461, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

The Robert W. Crawford Papers were given to the Urban Archives of Temple University in 1982 by Ira Shapiro of the Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Department at Temple University.

Processing Information

Finding aid revised according to contemporary archival standards in June 2015.

Index Terms

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in Temple University’s electronic catalog:

Personal/Family Names:
Crawford, Robert W.

Corporate Names:
Philadelphia (Pa.). Department of Recreation
Society of Recreation Workers of America

Subjects:
Outdoor recreation
Parks
Recreation
Recreation centers

Places:
Hastings on Hudson (N.Y.)
Montclair (N.J.)
Philadelphia (Pa.)

Material Types:
Correspondence
Manuscripts
Publications
Reports
School records
Speeches

Inventory

Series 1:  Personal Background and Interests, 1932-1984, undated

Series 1 contains class notes, professional papers, bulletins, and documents.

1          1          Class notes on organization of community recreation          1933-1938

1          2          National Recreation School Alumni meeting          1939

1          3          National Recreation School Alumni          1939-1942

1          4          Classes on physical education          1937-1941

1          5          History and principles of physical education: 2nd semester assignment          undated

1          6          Educational sociology          1939-1940

1          7          Personal data          1932-1941

1          8          Military maneuver areas          1941

1          9          Military maneuver material          1941

1          10          Federal Security Agency maneuvers undated

1          11          Federal Security Agency recreation bulletins          1942-1943

1          12          Official Civil Defense documents, v.5 from Oakland Civil Defense          1952

1          13          World Rowing Championship          1977, 1984                     

Series 2:  Published and Unpublished Writings on Community Recreation, 1915-1980

Series 2 contains correspondence, memoranda, news clippings, published articles, professional papers, work-related periodicals, speech material, and speeches.

1          14          Memoranda          1978, 1980

1          15          Personal correspondence          1941-1942

1          16          Personal correspondence          1952-1954

1          17          Personal correspondence          1952-1954

1          18          Personal correspondence, clippings, etc.           1954-1959, 1961-1962

1          19          Personal correspondence          1954-1964

1          20          Personal correspondence          1962-1966

1          21          Personal correspondence          1967-1968

2          1          Personal correspondence          1964-1967

2          2          Speech material          1915-1943

2          3          Speeches          1936-1944

2          4          NYU speech          1939

2          5          Speech material          1943-1962

2          6          Speeches          1959

2          7          Speech material          1959-1961

2          8          Speech material          1961

2          9          Speech material          1960-1961

2          10          Speech material          1960-1963

2          11          Speech material          1962

2          12          Speech material          1962-1965

2          13          Speech material          1962

2          14          Speech material          1963-1980

3          1          Speech material          1966

3          2          Minister's Conference on Recreation          November 10-12, 1966

3          3          Speech material          1967-1968

3          4          Speeches          1967-1968

3          5          Speech material          1969

3          6          Speech material          1970

3          7          Speech material          1971

3          8          Speech material          1972

3          9          Speech material          1973-1976

3          10          Speech material          1977-1980

3          11          Recreation, National Recreation Assoc.          September 1961

3          11          Presbyterian Life          August 1, 1960

3          11          "New Horizons in Recreation"

3          11          Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science          September 1957

3          11          Sports Illustrated          July 2, 1962

3          11          House and Home Management Magazine of the Housing Industry          December 1964

3          11          Parks and Recreation: Official Publication of the National Recreation and Park Assoc.          September 1980         

Series 3:  Recreation at Specific Locations, 1906-1979, undated

Series 3 contains publications, bulletins, annual and monthly reports, a professional diary, published articles, new clippings, photographs, surveys, and professional papers.

3          12           Study regarding recreation needs: Baltimore          1971

3          13          New Dimensions in Park and Recreation, 1895-1970: a Report prepared for the Essex County Park Commission          1895-1970

3          14          Hastings on Hudson, N.Y., 1932-1940) [includes material on recreation in Red Hook, N.Y.]          1932-1940

3          15          Monthly reports: Hastings Community Service Council          1938-1939

3          16          Recreation in Hastings on Hudson 1932-40) [clippings in book & loose photos]          1932-1940

3          17          Survey regarding recreation needs: Montgomery Co., Md.          1959-1960

3          18          Survey regarding recreation needs: Mon Valley          1952, 1965, 1967

3          19          Board of Recreation--Playground Commission 1906-1916) [removed from Festivals and Pageants folders]

3          20          European tour          1956

3          21          Department of Recreation publications "Implementation of a Comprehensive Plan for the Wise Use of Leisure"          1964

3          21          Mummer's Guide (Philadelphia Daily News          December 27, 1979

3          21          "Working together for a Most Uncommom Cause" (annual report of the national Recreation & Park Assoc.          1979

3          21          "Better Break: The Mayor's Youth opportunities Program" undated

3          21          Neighborhood Parks, Philadelphia Dept. of Recreation, 1979 annual report)          1979

3          21          Annual report, R.W.Crawford, commissioner, Philadelphia Dept. of Recreation, Better Break (The Mayor's Youth Opportunities Program) undated          1977

4          1          Oakland, Circa, Recreation Dept.          1950-1951

4          2          Oakland, Circa, Rotary Club          1946-1948

4          3          Oakland, Circa, Rotary Club          1946-1948

4          4          YMCA, Red Bank, N.J.

4          5          Survey regarding recreation needs: N.J          1955

4          6          Red Hook 1940-42) [includes photographs]          1940-1942

4          7          Public housing          1939-1943

4          8          Daily diary: Red Hook housing          1940

4          9          Union Count, NJ, park system "Our Parks" publications          1941-1942

4          10          Westchester Co. Recreation Commission (White Plains, NY)          1928-1940

Series 4:  Society of Recreation Workers of America, 1934-1944

Series 4 contains correspondence, bulletins, reports, records, and publications.

4          11          Recreation Congress          1934-1942

4          12          Society Recreation Workers of America          1941-1942

4          13          S.R.W.A. bulletin, publications, misc.          1941-1945

4          14          S.R.W.A. membership committee R.W. Crawford, chairman: correspondence          1942-1943

4          15          S.R.W.A. membership committee list, form letters, reports, state chairmen          1942-1943

4          16          S.R.W.A. lists & records          1943-1944

4          17          S.R.W.A. correspondence, personal duplicates: R.W. Crawford, president      1943-1944         

4          18          Society of Recreation Workers of America Correspondence          1943-1944

Series 5:  Community Recreation Services, 1927-1956, undated

Series 5 contains bulletins, blueprints, correspondence, records, forms, lectures, sketches, annual reports, and questionnaires.

5          1          Playgrounds          1937

5          2          Community recreation surveys          1930-1939

5          3          Miscellaneous          1930-1942

5          4          Recreation forms          1931-1943

5          5          Parks and park recreation          1931-1943

5          6          Lay out and equipment for recreation areas [includes blueprints]          undated

5          7          Reports on various recreation programs          1933-1939

5          8          Guidelines for hiring personnel for community recreation services          1933-1943

5          9          Education          1939

5          10          Publicity          1934-1943

5          11          Annual reports          1935-1942

5          12          Financial records          1935-1942

5          13          Leadership in public recreation          1935-1944

5          14          Tournament and contest forms and entry blanks          1936-1938

5          15          Training institutes          1936-1939

5          16          Delinquency          1937

5          17          Pre-school          undated

5          18          Sketches          undated

5          19          National Joseph Lee Day material          1937-1943

5          20          Examination for public recreation positions          1938

5          21          Education for safety          1939

5          22          Lectures on recreation          1940

5          23          W.P.A. recreation training school          1941

5          24          Philosophy of recreation          1943

5          25          Planning recreation areas          undated

5          26          Correspondence course for summer playground workers          undated

5          27          Forms, schedule, time [blank forms]          undated

5          28          National Recreation Association          undated

6          1          Co-ed recreation          1935

6          2          Dancing: aesthetic          undated

6          3          Dancing: clog & tap          1936

6          4          Dancing: folk dancing          1937

6          5          Dancing: methods, theory bibliography          1943-1944

6          6          Dancing: modern social          undated

6          7          Dancing: square          1956

6          8          Day camping          1942

6          9          Drama: fundamentals          1937

6          10          Drama: play, catalogues, etc.          1937

6          11          Fencing          1933

6          12          Festivals and Pageants          1942

6          13          First aid          1936-1939

6          14          Football          1936-1941

6          15          Public forums for discussion          1938-1940

6          16          Games: general          1936

6          17          Games: indoors          1935

6          18          Games: singing          1937

6          19          Gardening          1942

6          20          General [National Recreation Assoc. bulletins on general subjects]          1944         

6          21          Girls' work undated

6          21          Golf          1935

6          21          Group work          1937

6          21          Hand puppets          1937-1944

6          22          Handicraft          1927-1942

6          23          Handicraft source material          1936-1943

6          24          Hand puppets          1937-1944

6          25          Handicraft          1927-1942

6          26          Handicraft source material          1936-1943

6          27          Health and physical education          1935-1943

6          28          Health and physical education tests          1929-1963

6          29          Health exercises          undated

6          30          Hiking          1936-1943

6          31          Hobbies          1934-1945

6          32          Hobby shows          1934-1942

6          33          Holidays          1934-1942

6          34          Home play and back yards          1941-1943

6          35          Lifesaving          1934-1939

6          36          Marbles          undated

6          37          Music          1933-1944

6          38          Nature          1935-1943

7          1          Picnics          undated

7          2          Ping pong & table tennis          1937-1938

7          3          Programs          1944

7          4          Questionnaires regarding community recreation          undated

7          5          Radio          1939

7          6          Reading          1932-1935

7          7          Recreation          1931-1943

7          8          Recreation centers          1933-1942         

7          9 Recreation in schools          1936-1940

7          10 Rules of games          1931-1941

7          11          Safety          1939-1943

7          12          Shuffleboard          undated

7          13          Social recreation: circle games          1936-1941

7          14          Social recreation: course leadership          1934-1943

7          15          Social recreation: course leadership          1934-1943

7          16          Social recreation: dramatics, characters, stunts and tricks          1932-1943

7          17          Social recreation: mental games          1934-1944

7          18          Social recreation: mixers and pre-party games          1929-1943

7          19          Social recreation: musicals 1936-1944

7          20          Social recreation: parties          1935-1943

7          21          Social recreation: party outlines          1934-1944

7          22          Social recreation progressive games          1937-1944

7          23          Softball          1937-1943

7          24          Storytelling           1937-1941

7          25          Swimming          1931-1943

7          26          Tennis          1937-1939

7          27          Track and field          1936-1940

7          28          Training          1930-1940

7          29          Unemployment          1934-1935

7          30          Values          1937

7          31          Volleyball          1937-1944

7          32          Winter sports          1937-1939

7          33          Youth councils          1939-1942

Series 6. Photographs, 1936-1968, undated

Series 6 contains various photographs.

8          1-51          Photographs          undated

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