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Theresa Trainor Research Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 186

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of the research and writings about Theresa Trainor’s projects in the Southwest neighborhood completed as a part of her studies at American University. There are research papers, research files, interviews, transcripts, audio, and video cassettes. Materials document Southwest before urban renewal transformed the neighborhood. Many of the materials document the Willow Tree playground football team and its alumni.

Dates

  • Creation: 1911 - 1994
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1992 - 1994

Conditions Governing Use

The Library does not hold the copyright for materials contained within this collection, therefore many items in the collection may not be duplicated without the consent of the creator and/or interviewee. There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Biographical / Historical

Theresa Trainor earned a B.A. from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York, and an M.A. in applied anthropology from the American University. Her master's research focused on the impacts of urban renewal on the African American community in the Southwest neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Extent

2.25 Linear feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Series 1: Writings Series contains the original writing of Theresa Trainor, which was created as a part of her studies at American University.

Series 2: Transcripts Series includes transcripts for four of the sixteen recorded interviews. Series 3: Research Files Series contains clippings, ephemera, and other written materials used in the writing of Trainor’s two projects.

Series 4: Photographs Series contains photographs by an unknown photographer of a reunion meeting of the Willow Tree football team in the early 1990s.

Series 5: Audiovisual Series contains audio cassette interviews conducted by Trainor, Smithsonian Institution recordings, and VHS recordings used in the writing of Trainor’s two projects.

Custodial History

There is no deed of gift or oral history release forms. It is uncertain how or when the library acquired the collection.

Related Materials

Southwest Views Oral History Project (185) Southwest Remembered Oral History Project (OHP011) Southwest Neighborhood Association Records (159) Joseph Owen Curtis Photograph Collection (P007)

Processing Information

Standard archival procedures were followed when processed, and materials were organized into five series. Clippings were photocopied onto acid-free paper and the original clippings were discarded along with envelopes and other protective housings. Photographs were placed in protective enclosures and negatives were boxed and shelved separately, per the Library’s preservation storage guidelines.

Title
Theresa Trainor Research Collection186
Subtitle
An inventory of the Theresa Trainor Research Collection at DC Public Library
Author
Mark Greek
Date
2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The People's Archive, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library Repository

Contact:
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4th Floor East
Washington DC 20001
(202)727-1213