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Center for Brooklyn History Finding Aids
Guide to the Robert Vadheim Brooklyn neighborhood renewal and development collection 1987.002

Robert Vadheim Brooklyn neighborhood renewal and development collection

Call Number

1987.002

Date

1962-1987, inclusive

Creator

Vadheim, Robert (Role: Compiler)

Extent

2.33 Linear Feet in one manuscript box, one record carton, and one oversize box.

Language of Materials

English .

Abstract

The Brooklyn neighborhood renewal and development collection contains 2.33 linear feet of materials dating from 1962 to 1987, compiled by Dr. Robert H. Vadheim. The collection focuses on revival, renewal, and renovation efforts within Brooklyn's neighborhoods and cultural institutions. Document types in the collection include newspaper clippings, magazine articles, social announcements, invitations, neighborhood tour pamphlets, and other ephemera. In addition to Brooklyn neighborhoods, brownstones, and building restoration, the collection also documents the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Brooklyn Bridge--particularly the 1983 Brooklyn Bridge Centennial. Magazine clippings discussing specific observances or general occasions of change in New York City as a whole are also included.

Biographical note

Dr. Robert Vadheim (1920-2010), a physician, was a longtime resident of Brooklyn Heights and an active member of the Brooklyn community. Vadheim and his partner Robert Johnson moved to Brooklyn Heights in 1964, In 2005, Dr. Vadheim received the Brooklyn Heights Association's Award for Extraordinary Community Service. His donations to the Brooklyn Historical Society included works of art and manuscript collections that document changes in Brooklyn and its surroundings during the mid to late 20th century. http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=24&id=37348

Dr. Robert Vadheim (1920-2010), a physician, was a longtime resident of Brooklyn. Vadheim and his partner Robert Johnson moved to Brooklyn Heights in 1964. During the 1960s, he became an active member of the Brooklyn community, promoting historic preservation and the revitalization of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Vadheim also volunteered and made philanthropic contributions to local institutions such as the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and the Brooklyn Museum. His donations led to significant preservation projects in Brooklyn Heights, such as the restoration of stained glass windows at the Church of St. Ann and the Holy Trinity, and the installation of a working timepiece on the clock tower of the Brooklyn Historical Society's building. In 2005, Vadheim received the Brooklyn Heights Association's Award for Extraordinary Community Service. His donations to the Brooklyn Historical Society include works of art and manuscript collections that document changes in Brooklyn and its surroundings during the mid to late 20th century.

Sources

  1. Surratt, Jerl. "Dr. Robert Vadheim, Enthusiast of Heights Preservation, Dies at 90." Brooklyn Daily Eagle, August 11, 2010. http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=24&id=37348

Historical note

The borough of Brooklyn, N.Y. began experiencing significant surges of change and renewal in the 1960s. Efforts to renovate and preserve Brooklyn's diverse landscapes were sparked by local concern for neighborhoods suffering from neglect or in need of preservation, and by general interests in Brooklyn's history, architecture, and geographic location. Proposals for urban renewal garnered support not only from Brooklynites, but from outside land developers, business investors, and potential home owners attracted by the intact federal and Victorian houses in Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Fort Greene, Flatbush, and Crown Heights. The steady renewal of buildings and physical landscapes in the 1970s and 1980s drew new attention and financial interests to Brooklyn as new resident populations and businesses began moving into the borough's neighborhoods. As renewal efforts continued, property values rose and continued to rise as revitalization continued.

Scope and Contents

The Robert Vadheim Brooklyn neighborhood renewal and development collection contains 2.33 linear feet of materials dating from 1962 to 1987, compiled by Dr. Robert H. Vadheim. The collection focuses on revival, renewal, and renovation efforts within Brooklyn's neighborhoods and cultural institutions. Document types in the collection include newspaper clippings, magazine articles, neighborhood guides, maps, and other ephemera. In addition to Brooklyn neighborhoods, brownstones, and building restoration, the collection also documents the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Brooklyn Bridge--particularly the 1983 Brooklyn Bridge Centennial. Magazine clippings discussing specific observances or general occasions of change in New York City as a whole are also included.

The collection is arranged in five series:

Missing Title

  1. Brooklyn neighborhoods;
  2. Brooklyn renewal;
  3. Brooklyn institutions;
  4. Brooklyn newspapers; and
  5. New York City interests.

Series One contains clippings on Brownstone Brooklyn neighborhoods that document renewed interest in the area and revival of buildings and homes. Series Two includes clippings on the general work of renewal in Brooklyn, mostly focusing on real estate issues and the brownstone movement. Series Three documents the activities of Brooklyn cultural institutions. Series Four contains local newspapers which provide commentary on the impact of renewal in individual neighborhoods and the borough. Finally, Series Five contains clippings and ephemera on discussions of renewal and cultural events in New York City.

Subjects

Organizations

Genres

Topics

Places

Titles

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restriction.

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, date (if known); Robert Vadheim Brooklyn neighborhood renewal and development collection, 1987.002, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Dr. Robert Vadheim, 1987.

Related Materials

The Brooklyn Historical Society also holds the H. Dickson McKenna collection (ARC.060), which contains materials on the brownstone movement and the renewal of Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Collection processed by

Tiffany Tyau-Wong

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-21 11:20:20 +0000.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: Finding aid written in English

Processing Information

Fully processed to the folder level.

Repository

Brooklyn Historical Society

Container

Box: 1987.003 Box 3 of 3 (Material Type: Text)
Box: 1987.002 Box 2 of 3 (Material Type: Text)
Box: 1987.002 Box 1 of 3 (Material Type: Text)
Center for Brooklyn History
128 Pierrepont Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
https://bklynlibrary.org/cbh