Bethel New Life, Inc. Records
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Bethel New Life, Inc. Records,
- Dates
- 1870-1986
- Identifier
- ARCHIVES BNL
- Creator
- Bethel New Life, Inc.
- Size
-
1 linear feet :
220 photographs
- Size
- 27 audio tapes, 10 videotapes, 6 oversize folders
- Language
- Material is in English unless otherwise noted.
Conditions for Access
Available for research in the Special Collections and Preservation Division Reading Room of the Chicago Public Library.
Conditions Governing Use
Contact the archives for more information on licensing and permissions for use and reproduction.
Preferred Citation
A common citation for archives is as follows: Item, Folder number and/or title, Box number, Collection title, ID number, Repository name, location.
Acquisition Information
Accession information not specified.
Custodial History
The materials in this collection were assembled by Bethel New Life, Inc. in 1984 and 1985 as part of an Illinois Humanities Council grant. In spring 1984, the Chicago Public Library's Special Collections and Preservation Division agreed to archive the collection. Materials were transferred to the library from 1984-1986, and the collection was processed in October 1988 and in early 1989.
Biography or History
Bethel Housing, Inc., formed by the Bethel Lutheran Church in 1979, was one of several community groups to address the deteriorating housing conditions and the erosion of the economic base of West Garfield Park. In 1982, Bethel Housing changed its name to Bethel New Life, Inc., and under this name continued its work in offering housing opportunities, both rehab and new construction, to low and moderate-income community residents. In addition, Bethel operated food and sewing cooperatives, day-care and after-school programs for children, a holistic health center, and senior citizens programs. In the 1980's Bethel New Life received several grants to collect and preserve the local history of the community.
Scope and Content
The collection contains photographs, manuscript material and oral histories (videotape and audiotape). The core of the collection is the photographs, which record a wide range of African American history on the West Side of Chicago.
Finding aid available in the Reading Room of the Special Collections and Preservation Division and on the library's web site.