Langsdale Lends a Hand with 'Rat Film' Research

Inspection by Health Department, courtesy of the CPHA Collection, via flickr

Next week, Langsdale Special Collections is hosting a colloquium where three fellows are going to give presentations on their research into structural inequality, sharing the information they unearthed in Special Collections over the summer. I say this not only to mention that it’s happening (September 28th at 4 p.m., Learning Commons Town Hall-- see you there!), but because whenever we’re promoting the fellowship, I have go-to collections I use to illustrate the concept, and The Citizens Planning and Housing Association (CPHA) records is one of the best to draw upon. Most of the digitized photos in the CPHA flickr album perfectly portray urban blight and how society has failed its most vulnerable citizens-- scenes of trash-strewn alleys, decaying structures, toppling fences, lean-to shacks, and children playing in the rubble circa the 1940s and ‘50s.  Contextually, many of these photos were taken during inspections by the Health Department, who were surveying the area’s cleanliness and overall habitability for its citizenry.

Welcoming the Fellows, Part 2: Stephanie Dolamore

Fellow Stephanie Dolamore getting an eyeful of Baltimore

Stephanie Dolamore has a strategy for addressing residential challenges for traditionally under-served populations: first, by exploring the past, and assessing Baltimore’s issues in finding sustainable housing for people in need. Second, by getting the word out--via symposium, the classroom, or even by creating what she calls an "empathy museum" where insights into housing history can be brought to life.  Dolamore is a graduate research assistant pursuing her doctorate in Public Administration at UB, and one of the fellows doing research in Langsdale Special Collections this summer (check out our interview with the other fellowship recipient, Caitlin Rathe, here.) All of this research will culminate in a program on August 31st, where Dolamore and Rathe will present “Meeting Basic Needs: Structural Inequality and Public Services in Baltimore” (4:30-5:30 p.m., Bogolmony Room, UB Student Center-- mark your calendars!.)  In the meantime, Stephanie agreed to give us a sneak peek at what she’s uncovered in Special Collections so far.