National Public Housing Museum (NPHM) Podcasts

Join us as we delve into stories spanning from 1943 to 1993. Experience the thrill of late-night basketball games, memories from an Olympic-level boxer, and more about the power of sports.
Storytellers for this episode include Lee Roy Murphy, Olympic boxer of the Robert Taylor Homes; James Purgatorio of the Jane Addams Homes; Gil Walker, the former director of programs of the Chicago Housing Authority; Tanisha Wright, former WNBA player of Mon View Heights; Tommy Woods of the Lathrop Homes; and Byron Dickens of the Jane Addams Homes.

This episode, "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," celebrates a resident from the ABLA (a group of public housing projects consisting of the Jane Addams Homes, Robert Brooks Homes, Loomis Courts, and Grace Abbott Homes) community, the late Mr. Wilbur Farley. If that name sounds familiar, perhaps it is because he has appeared many times in different ABLA oral histories we have gathered.  Known as “Mr. Fix-It” for his ingenuity and helping neighbors with small repairs, Mr. Farley was such a hugely influential and important member of the community that “Mr. Farley Day Back to School Celebration and Party” (as it was originally called) was created in 1984 by the ABLA community. The oral history narrators featured in this episode are Al Buford, who lived in the Jane Addams Homes from 1955 until 1990, Marquita Gandy, who lived in ABLA from 1973 to 2009, Godfrey Bey, who lived in the Jane Addams Homes from 1956 to 1983, and Byron Dickens, our next narrator lived in the Jane Addams Homes from 1966 to 2001.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, “It's Certain Things That I Think Are Human Rights,” we celebrate National Fair Housing Months with an array of current and former residents from Chicago public housing.

Legally Stolen is a 3-episode podcast produced by the National Public Housing Museum and Artist as Instigator Tonika Lewis Johnson as part of her project, Inequity for Sale, a virtual and physical exploration of homes sold on Land Sale Contracts in the 50s and 60s.

Legally Stolen is a 3-episode podcast produced by the National Public Housing Museum and Artist as Instigator Tonika Lewis Johnson as part of her project, Inequity for Sale, a virtual and physical exploration of homes sold on Land Sale Contracts in the 50s and 60s.

Legally Stolen is a 3-episode podcast produced by the National Public Housing Museum exploring Inequity for Sale, a virtual and physical exploration of homes sold on Land Sale Contracts, by social justice artist Tonika Lewis Johnson.

Episode One is a deep dive into the history and research that sparked Tonika’s idea to create Inequity for Sale. Featured guests include co-author of the Plunder of Black Wealth in Chicago report Amber Hendley, author of Family Properties Beryl Satter, author of The Color of Law Richard Rothstein, and housing activist Athena Williams.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "My Heart Was in It: Holidays in Public Housing," narrators share a range of stories about their memories of the end of year holidays in the projects. You’ll hear about hallway decoration competitions in New York City Public Housing, special gifts, and a family’s decision to donate to those who have less. 

The narrators in this episode include Deonte Black, who has lived in the Cabrini-Green Homes in Chicago  from 1988 to the present day, Lynn Bowens who has lived in the Rangel Houses in New York City from 1964 to the Present day, Ida Brantley who has lived in ABLA in Chicago from 1970 to the present day, Katherine Davis who lived in the Cabrini-Green Homes in Chicago from 1957 to 1967, Sunny Fischer who lived in the Eastchester Projects in New York City from 1949 to 1960, Carol and Diane Rizzi who lived in ABLA in Chicago from 1949 to 1957, Brenda Taylor who lived in ABLA in Chicago from 1974-2016, and Kimberly Wellington who has lived in the Lathrop Homes in Chicago from 1974 to the present day.

The stories span from 1949 to the present day.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, “Our Neighbors Stepped Up,” narrators from Chicago, Cleveland, New York City, Minneapolis, and South Bend share stories about fun competitions between neighbors during the holidays, the stress of public housing waiting lists, and the importance of community centers for youth development.

The narrators in this episode include Troy Gaston who lived in the Robert Taylor Homes from 1989-1999, Cliff Christian who lived in Wentworth Gardens from 1946-1957, Jillian Stewart who lived in the Lasalle Park Homes from 2009-2013, Ladan Yusuf who has lived in the Glendale Townhomes from 2004-Present day, Lynn Bowens who has lived in the Rangel Houses from 1964-Present, and Dante Hamilton who lived in the Garden Valley Neighborhood Houses from 1961-1979

The stories span from 1946 to the present day.

This episode of Out of the Archives, "Candyman was a Candyman: People of Cabrini Green," was co-curated by the Chicago History Museum and is set in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green community. Narrators from the community share their experiences of life in Cabrini Green, with stories including residents’ creative aspirations, an uneasy gang truce after the murder of 7-year old Dantrell Davis, the ins and outs of socializing in school, as well as insight to who the infamous Candyman really was.

A special thanks to the storytellers from this episode, all of whom have lived or still live in the Cabrini-Green Homes, including Walter Burnett Jr, Tenika Chew, Katherine Davis, Betty Howard, JR Fleming, Raymond McDonald, Roger Prosise, and Delores Van Pelt, this episode’s co-curators at the Chicago History Museum, as well as the members of the museum’s oral history corps and other oral historians who helped to gather these stories including Hannah Barg, Francesco De Salvatore, Ashley Jefferson and Shakira Johnson.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "Mind to Grow," residents share their unapologetic love for their homes, memories of childhood summer fun, and the strength within the community.

A special thanks to the storytellers from this episode, including Nakia Herron of the Robert Taylor Homes,  Doris Johnson and her son Michael Johnson of the Cabrini-Green Homes, Gregory Sain of the Robert Taylor Homes, Carrie Torres of the Castle Hill Houses, and Janet Williams of  Chicago public housing. We'd also like to thank the members of the Museum's Oral History Corps and other oral historians who recorded these stories including Ashley Jefferson and Shakira Johnson.

The stories span from 1952 to the present day.

In this episode of Out of the Archives,  "Hidden History America," storytellers analyze the state of public housing in New York City, moving out of public housing into Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, and the tireless efforts of parents working nights to give their children a better life.

A special thanks to the storytellers from this episode, including Roger Prosise of the Cabrini-Green Homes,  Robert Scott of CHA Senior North, Daphany Rose Sanchez of Cooper Park, Charlene Purnell from the Lathrop Homes, Blanche Winston of the ABLA Homes, and Daniel Nicholson of Stateway Gardens. We'd also like to thank the members of the Museum's Oral History Corps and other oral historians who recorded these stories, including Shirley Alfaro, Elena Bulgarella, Shakira Johnson, and Maria Moon.

The stories span from 1954 to the present day.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "Full of Life: Learning and Personal Growth," we feature stories about finding yourself through the arts and recreation, reclaiming and growing after trauma, and more.

A special thanks to the storytellers from this episode, including Ben Baker of the Ida B Wells Extension Homes,  Marquita Gandy of ABLA Homes, Nekia Herron of the Robert Taylor Homes, Olga Molina of the Lathrop Homes from 1969 to 1995, Sokeo Ros lives in affordable Housing in Providence, RI, and Henry Warfield, who lived in Altgeld Gardens and the Cabrini-Green Homes. We'd also like to thank the members of the Museum's Oral History Corps and other oral historians who helped to gather these stories, including Francesco De Salvatore and Shakira Johnson.

The stories span from 1969 to the present day.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "Silent Voices Among Us: Stories from Chicago's Henry Horner Homes," which named after our online exhibition of the same name, we share stories from residents of the Henry Horner Homes, known to many of its residents as the Hornets. The stories range from different experiences from the early years of the Henry Horner Homes to moving out during their demolition.

A special thanks to the storytellers from this episode, including Crystal Palmer, Marina Pullom, Patricia Smith, John Pettiford, Sharon Leggitt, and Maria Moon. We'd also like to thank the members of the Museum's Oral History Corps and other oral historians who recorded these stories including Francesco De Salvatore, Raymond McDonald, and Maria Moon.

The Henry Horner Homes were constructed between 1957 and 1959 and contained 920 units. Thousands of residents lived in the Henry Horner Homes between 1957 and 1995 when demolition began. The demolition ran in phases beginning in 1995 until 2008, which made way for the Westhaven mixed-income community, which was established in 1997. The stories in this episode span from 1962 to 2013.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "Black is Beautiful Two: Reflections on Family, Activism, and Perseverance" we celebrate Black History Month by continuing the narrative from our June 2020 episode by the same name, which highlights stories from the Black community. You’ll hear about one storyteller’s development as a community organizer, finding strength in family in the face of difficulties, and more.

A special thanks to the storytellers from this episode, including JR Flemming of the Cabrini-Green Homes and the Henry Horner Homes, Michael Miles of Stateway  Gardens, H Demetrius Bonner of Stateway Gardens, Colette Payne of the Ida B. Wells Homes, Dolores Van Pelt of the Cabrini-Green Homes, DaVida Rowley Blackman who lived in a New York City tenement building.

The stories span from 1958 to 2006.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "Close to Home: Reflections on the Animal Court," we celebrate the end of 2020 by sharing a selection of stories that are central to the Museum’s future home in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood; the Jane Addams Animal Court. You'll hear from residents as they share stories reminiscing on the magical Edgar Miller animal sculptures that served as a meeting ground and landmark for generations of its residents.

A special thanks to the storytellers from this episode, all of whom lived in the ABLA community, including Dwayne Crockett, Byron Dickens, Phron Freeman, Marquita Gandy, JonTia Pegues, James Purgatorio, and  Gloria White. We'd also like to thank the members of the Museum's Oral History Corps and other oral historians who recorded these stories including Francesco De Salvatore and Ashley Jefferson.

The Animal Court sculptures could be found at the Jane Addams Homes from 1937 to 2007.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "We’re Connected to Everybody: Connecting Stories, Connecting Dots," narrators share stories of quarter parties that were organized in the Henry Horner Homes to help residents pay for their rent, finding the good in a community when you’re in a difficult time, and a family’s first television set at the Lathrop Homes.

A special thanks to the storytellers from this episode, including Harrold Brown of the Lathrop Homes, Sunny Fischer of the Eastchester Projects, Dr.  Cranston Knight of the Henry Horner Homes, Gertrude Mendoza from the Cabrini-Green Homes, Loomis Courts and the Lathrop Homes, and John Pettiford of the Henry Horner Homes. We'd also like to thank the members of the Museum's Oral History Corps and other oral historians who recorded these stories including Shirley Alfaro, Ashley Jefferson, Shakira Johnson, Alexis Judeh, and Maria Moon.

The stories span from 1943 to 1996.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "A Change of Season: Resident Adaption and Resilience" looks at the changing of the Little Italy neighborhood over the years, finding housing in a big city, resident dance parties, and more.

A special thanks to the storytellers from this episode, including Ida Brantley of ABLA, Alderman Walter Burnett Jr of Cabrini-Green, Ned  Lufrano of the Jane Addams Homes, and actress Liz Torres of the Amsterdam Homes. We'd also like to thank the members of the Museum's Oral History Corps and other oral historians that recorded the stories including Shirley Alfaro, Francesco DeSalvatore, Ashley Jefferson, and Shakira Johnson.

The stories span from 1938 to the present day.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "Taking Care of Us: Community Care in Public Housing," the Museum's summer 2020 interns from Roosevelt University made selections from their favorite parts of the museum’s oral history collection, which collectively discuss the ways our communities shape us. The intern team included Skye Darke, Victoria Limon, River Toomer, and James Wilson.

A special thanks to the storytellers featured in this episode, including Dominica Abbot of the Jane Addams Homes, Phron Freeman of ABLA, JonTia Pegues of ABLA, and Kimberly Wellington of the Lathrop Homes. We'd also like to thank the members of the Museum's Oral History Corps and other oral historians who helped to gather these stories, including Francesco De Salvatore and Ashley Jefferson

The stories span from 1939 to the present day.

In this episode of Out of the Archives "Play Ball: Sports and Athletics in Public Housing," former public housing residents and housing authority workers, share a range of stories about how late-night games of basketball would make a positive impact on communities and how diligent practicing could be life-changing.

A special thanks to the storytellers in this episode, including Olympic boxer of the Robert Taylor Homes, Lee Roy Murphy, James  Purgatorio of the Jane Addams Homes, the former director of programs of the Chicago Housing Authority, Gil Walker, and former WNBA player of Mon View Heights, Tanisha Wright. We would also like to thank the members of the Museum's Oral History Corps and other oral historians who recorded these stories, including Francesco De Salvatore, Ashley Jefferson, and Shakira Johnson.

The stories span from 1943 to 1993.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "Black is Beautiful: Reflections on Arts, Culture, and Activism," current and former public housing residents share a range of stories that exemplify not only that Black Lives Matter, but are creative, full of joy, courageous, and essential.

The storytellers you will hear from include Mary Baggett of the Jane Addams Homes, Fred Cash of the Dearborn Home, Sequane Lawrence of the Robert Taylor Homes, Raymond McDonald of Cabrini-Green, Congressman Bobby Rush of the Hilliard Homes, Francine  Washington of Stateway Gardens, and Bruce Wilkerson of the Ida B. Wells Homes.

The stories span from 1953 to the present day.

EDITORIAL CORRECTION: Mary Baggett has lived in the Jane Addams Rowhouses, not the Jane Addams Homes.

This episode of Out of the Archives, "Ordinary But Extraordinary" takes cues from our 2018 exhibition History Lessons: Everyday Objects from Chicago Public Housing, and looks to show the importance of everyday stories and their ability to deepen our understanding of American history.

A special thanks to our storytellers Herman Bonner of Stateway Gardens, Raymond McDonald of Cabrini-Green, Crystal Palmer of the Henry Horner Homes, Alan Schwartz of the Jane Addams Homes, Juanita Stevenson of the Lathrop Homes, and Claudice Ware of the Ida B. Wells Homes. We'd also like to thank the oral historians who recorded these stories, including Kimberly Cook, Francesco De Salvatore, Raymond McDonald, Frank McFadden, and Nora Waters

The stories span from 1933 to the present day.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "Bringing the Outdoors In," narrators shares stories of community and compassion found in public housing. Storytellers recall the playgrounds found in New York City public housing, having neighbors feel like family, and gaining respect through sports, as well as through fighting.

A special thanks to our storytellers Betty Howard of the Cabrini-Green Homes, Tommy Woods of the Lathrop Homes, Phil Ayala of ABLA, Janetta Pegues of ABLA, Sunny Fischer of the Eastchester Projects, and LeeRoy Murphy of the Robert Taylor Homes. We would also like to thank our Oral History Corps and other Chicago oral historians who helped to gather these stories, Hannah Barg, Richard Cahan,  Francesco De Salvatore, Ashley Jefferson, Shakira Johnson, and Alexis Judeh.

The stories span from 1949 to 1983.

In this episode of Out of the Archives, "Surving and Thriving in Public Housing," narrators share stories of innovative entrepreneurship found in public housing complexes across Chicago. Narrators recall buying candy from trucks outside of the Cabrini-Green Homes, a watermelon man from the ABLA community, and an artist named Milton Reed, known as the Diego Rivera of the projects, who used his talent to beautify his community.

A special thanks to our storytellers Godfrey Bey, Harold Brown, Chalonda McIntosh, Milton Reed, and Liz Thompson. We would also like to thank our Oral History Corps who helped to gather these stories, including Mark Jaeschke and Shakira Johnson.

The stories span from 1943 to 1999.