Series III: Environmental Crisis , 1976 - 1983
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
- 1976 - 1983
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
Series III: Environmental Crisis, 1976 - 1983
Series III: Environmental Crisis, 1976 - 1983 is arranged chronologically by folder date and contains research materials compiled by Dr. Wolensky focused on the environmental issues concerning Wyoming Valley. This research includes newspaper articles written on environmental issues that cause residents in the community to develop health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses that often result in death. This series also includes correspondence from Christine Phillips on cancer patients whose cancer has been linked to environmental issues, and newspapers detailing the issue at hand and its importance. Christine Phillips was a council woman in Forty Fort and a housewife whose concerns focused on stopping environmental damages causing illnesses in the community. This series also contains information, which consists of newspaper clipping and informational pamphlets, regarding work that the Susquehanna Environmental Association (SEA) has done to help the environment. The Coalition Association for River Protection (CARPs) plan to continue their plan to dredge the river to help protect against flooding is also featured in this series. This material contains a newspaper clipping stating how CARP plans on continuing with their plan of dredging the river.
Series III is arranged into two subseries; Subseries I: Christine Phillips 1980 - 1983, Subseries II: Environment Concerns 1947 - 1983.
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