Subseries II: Newspapers, 1972 - 2003
Sub-Series
Scope and Content:
From the Collection:
The Robert Wollensky papers, 1954 - 2006, contain a variety of research materials that Dr. Wolensky compiled from 1947 through 2006 of various local and environmental politics surrounding the Hurricane Agnes flood of 1972, the corruption of Dan Flood, the construction of Montage Mountain, Environmental Crisis, Local Politics,Wilkes-Barre Labor and Disaster Issues, Project Files. This research consists of photographs, newspaper clippings, annual reports, codesheets, numerical data, oral history transcripts, dissertation, correspondence, court case documentation, interviews, and Wolensky notes.
Many of the series have been arranged further into distinct subseries. Series I is arranged into seven subseries: Subseries I: Agnes Interviews 1972 - 1983, Subseries II: Newspapers 1972 - 2003, Subseries III: Court Cases 1972 - 1973, Subseries IV: Coding 1973 -1983; Subseries V: Committee Concerns 1975; Subseries VI: Agnes Information 1970 - 1994; Subseries VII: Dissertation 1973 - 1975; Subseries VIII: Politics surrounding Agnes (dates unknown). Research materials compiled by Dr. Wolensky were for his 1993 book, Better than Ever:The Flood Recovery Task Force and the 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes Disasters. This research includes oral history interviews, newspapers, and dissertation information.
The oral history interviews are primarily focused on flood recovery for neighborhoods and businesses in Wilkes-Barre, including those involved with the Flood Recovery Task Force (FRTF) and the Flood Victims Actional Council (FVAC). The bulk of newspapers in this series pertain to the 1972 Hurricane Agnes flood and specifically focus on community recovery, local politics, and the reconstruction of destroyed buildings. The court case here is (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. National Association of Flood Insurers, General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Limited and Zurich Insurance Company, James T. Lynn, and the United States of America) against the United States Government and insurance companies and their role in the clean-up with the 1972 flood. The coding sheets are the statistical analysis of data obtained through interviews. Wolensky’s dissertation, written for Penn State University in 1975, focused on local government and disaster relief groups following the 1972 Flood Recovery Task Force in Wilkes-Barre, PA. There is also a scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings that details the aid given to Wilkes-Barre to help struggling residents after the flood.
Many of the series have been arranged further into distinct subseries. Series I is arranged into seven subseries: Subseries I: Agnes Interviews 1972 - 1983, Subseries II: Newspapers 1972 - 2003, Subseries III: Court Cases 1972 - 1973, Subseries IV: Coding 1973 -1983; Subseries V: Committee Concerns 1975; Subseries VI: Agnes Information 1970 - 1994; Subseries VII: Dissertation 1973 - 1975; Subseries VIII: Politics surrounding Agnes (dates unknown). Research materials compiled by Dr. Wolensky were for his 1993 book, Better than Ever:The Flood Recovery Task Force and the 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes Disasters. This research includes oral history interviews, newspapers, and dissertation information.
The oral history interviews are primarily focused on flood recovery for neighborhoods and businesses in Wilkes-Barre, including those involved with the Flood Recovery Task Force (FRTF) and the Flood Victims Actional Council (FVAC). The bulk of newspapers in this series pertain to the 1972 Hurricane Agnes flood and specifically focus on community recovery, local politics, and the reconstruction of destroyed buildings. The court case here is (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. National Association of Flood Insurers, General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Limited and Zurich Insurance Company, James T. Lynn, and the United States of America) against the United States Government and insurance companies and their role in the clean-up with the 1972 flood. The coding sheets are the statistical analysis of data obtained through interviews. Wolensky’s dissertation, written for Penn State University in 1975, focused on local government and disaster relief groups following the 1972 Flood Recovery Task Force in Wilkes-Barre, PA. There is also a scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings that details the aid given to Wilkes-Barre to help struggling residents after the flood.
Dates
- 1972 - 2003
Access:
Open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 13 boxes (6 letter boxes, 1 legal box, 6 oversized boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Subseries II: Newspapers, 1972 - 2003
Subseries II: Newspapers, 1972 - 2003, is arranged chronologically by date and contains newspapers and newspaper clippings detailing the aftermath of the Agnes flood, specifically the city and community efforts to rebuild the affected areas mostly from 1972; with multiple remembrance papers from 1992 - 2003.
Newspaper clipping in the Subseries:
1. The Dallas Post - These newspaper clippings are focused on the Agnes flood of 1972 and the aftermath and clean up.
2. The Scranton Tribune - This newspaper shows how the flood destroyed certain Wilkes-Barre areas.
3. The Observer - This collection of newspapers deals with the destruction that the flood left behind and the visit by Bob Hope, a national personality, to help raise funds for flood survivors.
4. The Sunday Dispatch - Delves into the damages done by the flood and gives an inside look to people who were personally affected by the flood.
5. Times Leader - These newspapers explain the clean-up process after the flooding finished, and also discuss loans granted to Wilkes-Barre for clean-up and construction efforts.
6. Sunday Independent - These newspapers detail how schools wanted to open on time, clean up, and other services being offered to those who need them.
7. A Greenstreet News Co. Publication - this newspaper details the corruption that occurred after the flood and the lack of help citizens were getting from the government.
8. Country Impressions – deals with the clean-up efforts and the damages left behind Agnes, and two special edition newspapers that hold pictures of the aftermath of the flood. Also Including the original pictorial containing more than 150 photos.
9. Times Leader Special - revisited the flood and its destruction on the 20th year anniversary newspaper
10. Sunday Independent Special - A 20-year Agnes remembrance newspaper
11. The Citizens Voice - A 25-year Agnes remembrance newspaper Additionally, this subseries contains a scrapbook containing newspaper clippings focusing on federal financial aid given to those in need in Wilkes-Barre after the Agnes flood. President Nixon visited the Wilkes-Barre area and Wilkes College on September 9, 1972 to give the institution a check for $4 million dollars to aid in flood recovery. Also in attendance at his meeting was the Federal Deputy Budget Director Frank Carlucci. Many newspapers in this scrapbook focus on Frank Carlucci’s role in flood recovery.
11. The Citizens Voice - A 25-year Agnes remembrance newspaper Additionally, this subseries contains a scrapbook containing newspaper clippings focusing on federal financial aid given to those in need in Wilkes-Barre after the Agnes flood. President Nixon visited the Wilkes-Barre area and Wilkes College on September 9, 1972 to give the institution a check for $4 million dollars to aid in flood recovery. Also in attendance at his meeting was the Federal Deputy Budget Director Frank Carlucci. Many newspapers in this scrapbook focus on Frank Carlucci’s role in flood recovery.
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu