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Wynnefield Residents' Association (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records
Notifications
Held at: Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
The Wynnefield Residents' Association (WRA) is a non-profit community organization serving the Wynnefield area of West Philadelphia. The agency is governed by a board of directors comprised of diverse community residents, and has its own advisory council. Organized in 1957 the WRA was not incorporated until February 27, 1966. The association lobbies on behalf of its residents in such matters as housing, transportation, zoning, crime prevention, and block organizing.
Stanton W. Kratzok, Esq., founder of the WRA, recognized the need for a civic association with a nonpolitical foundation to put the proper pressure on government authorities and to maintain unity and pride in the neighborhood. The WRA was instrumental in the passage of ordinances in city council against panic selling; handled zoning ordinances which kept Wynnefield a single family residential neighborhood, and prevented it from becoming commercial; and established numerous community programs including anti-drug rallies and seminars, distribution of bread baskets for the needy, summer camps, community watch groups, and the Wynnefield Day celebration. The organization also publishes the bi-monthly newsletter Focus.
Collection includes reports, bylaws, financial records, program records, publications, newspaper clippings, and administrative records and correspondence by or related to the Wynnefield Residents' Association.
Series 2: Financial, 1950-1986, undated
Series 3: Activities, 1967-1987, undated
Series 4: Other Organizations, 1973-1986, undated
Series 5: Publications, 1969-1988, undated
Series 6: News clippings, 1969-1981, undated
Series 7 Memorabilia, undated
Materials deposited in April 1978 and June 1992. This inventory reflects a merger of materials originally received and recorded as accessions 743 and 336.
Finding aid revised according to contemporary archival standards in June 2015.
People
Subject
- Community development -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
- Community organization -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
- Neighborhood planning -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
- Urban renewal -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
- Zoning -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
Place
- Publisher
- Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center
- Finding Aid Author
- Machine-readable finding aid created by: Rajkumar Natarajan, Sky Global Services India (P) Ltd.
- Finding Aid Date
- January 2024
- Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research. There is one restricted folder in Series 1: Administration, 1967-1985, box 2, folder 20.
- Use Restrictions
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The Wynnefield Residents' Association (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records are in custody of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Temple University holds literary rights only for material created by university employees and to material given to the university with such rights specifically assigned. For all other material, literary 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.
Collection Inventory
Materials include annual reports, articles of incorporation, bylaws, constitution, and administrative correspondence of WRA. This series also contains files documenting the activities of the WRA Board of Directors and the various program committees. Major committees include Education, Membership and Zoning.
Materials includes bank statements, ledgers, invoices and receipts, canceled checks and receipt books. Files documenting grant, fundraising and tax activities are also included in this series.
This series documents the various programs and activities sponsored by or participated in by WRA. WRA programs permeated various areas of the Wynnefield community including education, housing, and health care. Projects of special interest include: the "Secure All Wynnefield Project", which deals with crime and safety issues; WRA coordinated summer camp programs with various churches and schools, particularly St. Josephs' University; and the establishment of the Wynnefield Cultural Center and Library. WRA also conducted various research projects including a 1970 socio-demographic study commissioned by the Board of Directors of Har-Zion Synagogue. The studies examine the demographic changes of the Wynnefield and Lower Merion Jewish communities during the 1940s and 1950s.
This series consists of files kept by the NSC on various public and private agencies. Files are arranged alphabetically by organization name.
This series consists of brochures, newsletters, books and magazines published by WRA including hard copies of Focus Newsletter and advertisement information. This series also includes materials published by other organizations which are arranged alphabetically by subject.
Materials document media coverage of WRA activities and other subjects of interest pertaining to the Wynnefield community.
This series consists of one folder of buttons and name tags from the Wynnefield Weekend celebration.