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Robert W. Crawford Papers

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

Call Number:
461
Repository:
Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center
Extent:
12 linear feet (7 boxes)
Language:
English
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.
Date:
1906, 1932-1980 (inclusive)
Creator:
Crawford, Robert W.
Form:
Correspondence, Manuscripts, Publications, Reports, School records, and Speeches
Abstract:

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.

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.

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

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.

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

People
Organization
Subject
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
April 2023
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

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.

Collection Inventory

Scope and Contents

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

Class notes on organization of community recreation, 1933-1938.
Box 1 Folder 1
National Recreation School Alumni meeting, 1939.
Box 1 Folder 2
National Recreation School Alumni, 1939-1942.
Box 1 Folder 3
Classes on physical education, 1937-1941.
Box 1 Folder 4
History and principles of physical education: 2nd semester assignment, undated.
Box 1 Folder 5
Educational sociology, 1939-1940.
Box 1 Folder 6
Personal data, 1932-1941.
Box 1 Folder 7
Military maneuver areas, 1941.
Box 1 Folder 8
Military maneuver material, 1941.
Box 1 Folder 9
Federal Security Agency maneuvers, undated.
Box 1 Folder 10
Federal Security Agency recreation bulletins, 1942-1943.
Box 1 Folder 11
Official Civil Defense documents, v.5 from Oakland Civil Defense, 1952.
Box 1 Folder 12
World Rowing Championship, 1977, 1984.
Box 1 Folder 13

Scope and Contents

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

Memoranda, 1978, 1980.
Box 1 Folder 14
Personal correspondence, 1941-1942.
Box 1 Folder 15
Personal correspondence, 1952-1954.
Box 1 Folder 16
Personal correspondence, 1952-1954.
Box 1 Folder 17
Personal correspondence, clippings, etc., 1954-1959, 1961-1962.
Box 1 Folder 18
Personal correspondence, 1954-1964.
Box 1 Folder 19
Personal correspondence, 1962-1966.
Box 1 Folder 20
Personal correspondence, 1967-1968.
Box 1 Folder 21
Personal correspondence, 1964-1967.
Box 2 Folder 1
Speech material, 1915-1943.
Box 2 Folder 2
Speeches, 1936-1944.
Box 2 Folder 3
NYU speech, 1939.
Box 2 Folder 4
Speech material, 1943-1962.
Box 2 Folder 5
Speeches, 1959.
Box 2 Folder 6
Speech material, 1959-1961.
Box 2 Folder 7
Speech material, 1961.
Box 2 Folder 8
Speech material, 1960-1961.
Box 2 Folder 9
Speech material, 1960-1963.
Box 2 Folder 10
Speech material, 1962.
Box 2 Folder 11
Speech material, 1962-1965.
Box 2 Folder 12
Speech material, 1962.
Box 2 Folder 13
Speech material, 1963-1980.
Box 2 Folder 14
Speech material, 1966.
Box 3 Folder 1
Minister's Conference on Recreation, November 10-12, 1966.
Box 3 Folder 2
Speech material, 1967-1968.
Box 3 Folder 3
Speeches, 1967-1968.
Box 3 Folder 4
Speech material, 1969.
Box 3 Folder 5
Speech material, 1970.
Box 3 Folder 6
Speech material, 1971.
Box 3 Folder 7
Speech material, 1972.
Box 3 Folder 8
Speech material, 1973-1976.
Box 3 Folder 9
Speech material, 1977-1980.
Box 3 Folder 10
Recreation, National Recreation Assoc., September 1961.
Box 3 Folder 11
Presbyterian Life, August 1, 1960.
Box 3 Folder 11
"New Horizons in Recreation", undated.
Box 3 Folder 11
Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, September 1957.
Box 3 Folder 11
Sports Illustrated, July 2, 1962.
Box 3 Folder 11
House and Home Management Magazine of the Housing Industry, December 1964.
Box 3 Folder 11
Parks and Recreation: Official Publication of the National Recreation and Park Assoc., September 1980.
Box 3 Folder 11

Scope and Contents

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

Study regarding recreation needs: Baltimore, 1971.
Box 3 Folder 12
New Dimensions in Park and Recreation, 1895-1970: a Report prepared for the Essex County Park Commission, 1895-1970.
Box 3 Folder 13
Hastings on Hudson, N.Y., 1932-1940) [includes material on recreation in Red Hook, N.Y.], 1932-1940.
Box 3 Folder 14
Monthly reports: Hastings Community Service Council, 1938-1939.
Box 3 Folder 15
Recreation in Hastings on Hudson 1932-40) [clippings in book & loose photos], 1932-1940.
Box 3 Folder 16
Survey regarding recreation needs: Montgomery Co., Md., 1959-1960.
Box 3 Folder 17
Survey regarding recreation needs: Mon Valley, 1952, 1965, 1967.
Box 3 Folder 18
Board of Recreation--Playground Commission 1906-1916) [removed from Festivals and Pageants folders].
Box 3 Folder 19
European tour, 1956.
Box 3 Folder 20
Department of Recreation publications "Implementation of a Comprehensive Plan for the Wise Use of Leisure", 1964.
Box 3 Folder 21
Mummer's Guide (Philadelphia Daily News, December 27, 1979.
Box 3 Folder 21
"Working together for a Most Uncommom Cause" (annual report of the national Recreation & Park Assoc., 1979.
Box 3 Folder 21
"Better Break: The Mayor's Youth opportunities Program", undated.
Box 3 Folder 21
Neighborhood Parks, Philadelphia Dept. of Recreation, 1979 annual report), 1979.
Box 3 Folder 21
Annual report, R.W.Crawford, commissioner, Philadelphia Dept. of Recreation, Better Break (The Mayor's Youth Opportunities Program), undated 1977.
Box 3 Folder 21
Oakland, Circa, Recreation Dept., 1950-1951.
Box 4 Folder 1
Oakland, Circa, Rotary Club, 1946-1948.
Box 4 Folder 2
Oakland, Circa, Rotary Club, 1946-1948.
Box 4 Folder 3
YMCA, Red Bank, N.J.
Box 4 Folder 4
Survey regarding recreation needs: N.J, 1955.
Box 4 Folder 5
Red Hook 1940-42) [includes photographs], 1940-1942.
Box 4 Folder 6
Public housing, 1939-1943.
Box 4 Folder 7
Daily diary: Red Hook housing, 1940.
Box 4 Folder 8
Union Count, NJ, park system "Our Parks" publications, 1941-1942.
Box 4 Folder 9
Westchester Co. Recreation Commission (White Plains, NY), 1928-1940.
Box 4 Folder 10

Scope and Contents

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

Recreation Congress, 1934-1942.
Box 4 Folder 11
Society Recreation Workers of America, 1941-1942.
Box 4 Folder 12
S.R.W.A. bulletin, publications, misc., 1941-1945.
Box 4 Folder 13
S.R.W.A. membership committee R.W. Crawford, chairman: correspondence, 1942-1943.
Box 4 Folder 14
S.R.W.A. membership committee list, form letters, reports, state chairmen, 1942-1943.
Box 4 Folder 15
S.R.W.A. lists & records, 1943-1944.
Box 4 Folder 16
S.R.W.A. correspondence, personal duplicates: R.W. Crawford, president, 1943-1944.
Box 4 Folder 17
Society of Recreation Workers of America Correspondence, 1943-1944.
Box 4 Folder 18

Scope and Contents

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

Playgrounds, 1937.
Box 5 Folder 1
Community recreation surveys, 1930-1939.
Box 5 Folder 2
Miscellaneous, 1930-1942.
Box 5 Folder 3
Recreation forms, 1931-1943.
Box 5 Folder 4
Parks and park recreation, 1931-1943.
Box 5 Folder 5
Lay out and equipment for recreation areas [includes blueprints], undated.
Box 5 Folder 6
Reports on various recreation programs, 1933-1939.
Box 5 Folder 7
Guidelines for hiring personnel for community recreation services, 1933-1943.
Box 5 Folder 8
Education, 1939.
Box 5 Folder 9
Publicity, 1934-1943.
Box 5 Folder 10
Annual reports, 1935-1942.
Box 5 Folder 11
Financial records, 1935-1942.
Box 5 Folder 12
Leadership in public recreation, 1935-1944.
Box 5 Folder 13
Tournament and contest forms and entry blanks, 1936-1938.
Box 5 Folder 14
Training institutes, 1936-1939.
Box 5 Folder 15
Delinquency, 1937.
Box 5 Folder 16
Pre-school, undated.
Box 5 Folder 17
Sketches, undated.
Box 5 Folder 18
National Joseph Lee Day material, 1937-1943.
Box 5 Folder 19
Examination for public recreation positions, 1938.
Box 5 Folder 20
Education for safety, 1939.
Box 5 Folder 21
Lectures on recreation, 1940.
Box 5 Folder 22
W.P.A. recreation training school, 1941.
Box 5 Folder 23
Philosophy of recreation, 1943.
Box 5 Folder 24
Planning recreation areas, undated.
Box 5 Folder 25
Correspondence course for summer playground workers, undated.
Box 5 Folder 26
Forms, schedule, time [blank forms], undated.
Box 5 Folder 27
National Recreation Association, undated.
Box 5 Folder 28
Co-ed recreation, 1935.
Box 6 Folder 1
Dancing: aesthetic, undated.
Box 6 Folder 2
Dancing: clog & tap, 1936.
Box 6 Folder 3
Dancing: folk dancing, 1937.
Box 6 Folder 4
Dancing: methods, theory bibliography, 1943-1944.
Box 6 Folder 5
Dancing: modern social, undated.
Box 6 Folder 6
Dancing: square, 1956.
Box 6 Folder 7
Day camping, 1942.
Box 6 Folder 8
Drama: fundamentals, 1937.
Box 6 Folder 9
Drama: play, catalogues, etc., 1937.
Box 6 Folder 10
Fencing, 1933.
Box 6 Folder 11
Festivals and Pageants, 1942.
Box 6 Folder 12
First aid, 1936-1939.
Box 6 Folder 13
Football, 1936-1941.
Box 6 Folder 14
Public forums for discussion, 1938-1940.
Box 6 Folder 15
Games: general, 1936.
Box 6 Folder 16
Games: indoors, 1935.
Box 6 Folder 17
Games: singing, 1937.
Box 6 Folder 18
Gardening, 1942.
Box 6 Folder 19
General [National Recreation Assoc. bulletins on general subjects], 1944.
Box 6 Folder 20
Girls' work, undated.
Box 6 Folder 21
Golf, 1935.
Box 6 Folder 21
Group work, 1937.
Box 6 Folder 21
Hand puppets, 1937-1944.
Box 6 Folder 21
Handicraft, 1927-1942.
Box 6 Folder 22
Handicraft source material, 1936-1943.
Box 6 Folder 23
Hand puppets, 1937-1944.
Box 6 Folder 24
Handicraft, 1927-1942.
Box 6 Folder 25
Handicraft source material, 1936-1943.
Box 6 Folder 26
Health and physical education, 1935-1943.
Box 6 Folder 27
Health and physical education tests, 1929-1963.
Box 6 Folder 28
Health exercises, undated.
Box 6 Folder 29
Hiking, 1936-1943.
Box 6 Folder 30
Hobbies, 1934-1945.
Box 6 Folder 31
Hobby shows, 1934-1942.
Box 6 Folder 32
Holidays, 1934-1942.
Box 6 Folder 33
Home play and back yards, 1941-1943.
Box 6 Folder 34
Lifesaving, 1934-1939.
Box 6 Folder 35
Marbles, undated.
Box 6 Folder 36
Music, 1933-1944.
Box 6 Folder 37
Nature, 1935-1943.
Box 6 Folder 38
Picnics, undated.
Box 7 Folder 1
Ping pong & table tennis, 1937-1938.
Box 7 Folder 2
Programs, 1944.
Box 7 Folder 3
Questionnaires regarding community recreation, undated.
Box 7 Folder 4
Radio, 1939.
Box 7 Folder 5
Reading, 1932-1935.
Box 7 Folder 6
Recreation, 1931-1943.
Box 7 Folder 7
Recreation centers, 1933-1942.
Box 7 Folder 8
Recreation in schools, 1936-1940.
Box 7 Folder 9
Rules of games, 1931-1941.
Box 7 Folder 10
Safety, 1939-1943.
Box 7 Folder 11
Shuffleboard, undated.
Box 7 Folder 12
Social recreation: circle games, 1936-1941.
Box 7 Folder 13
Social recreation: course leadership, 1934-1943.
Box 7 Folder 14
Social recreation: course leadership, 1934-1943.
Box 7 Folder 15
Social recreation: dramatics, characters, stunts and tricks, 1932-1943.
Box 7 Folder 16
Social recreation: mental games, 1934-1944.
Box 7 Folder 17
Social recreation: mixers and pre-party games, 1929-1943.
Box 7 Folder 18
Social recreation: musicals, 1936-1944.
Box 7 Folder 19
Social recreation: parties, 1935-1943.
Box 7 Folder 20
Social recreation: party outlines, 1934-1944.
Box 7 Folder 21
Social recreation progressive games, 1937-1944.
Box 7 Folder 22
Softball, 1937-1943.
Box 7 Folder 23
Storytelling, 1937-1941.
Box 7 Folder 24
Swimming, 1931-1943.
Box 7 Folder 25
Tennis, 1937-1939.
Box 7 Folder 26
Track and field, 1936-1940.
Box 7 Folder 27
Training, 1930-1940.
Box 7 Folder 28
Unemployment, 1934-1935.
Box 7 Folder 29
Values, 1937.
Box 7 Folder 30
Volleyball, 1937-1944.
Box 7 Folder 31
Winter sports, 1937-1939.
Box 7 Folder 32
Youth councils, 1939-1942.
Box 7 Folder 33

Scope and Contents

Series 6 contains various photographs.

Photographs, undated.
Box 8 Folder 1-51

Print, Suggest