Robert Embry
Abstract
In this interview, Robert Embry describes the creation of the Coldspring Newtown housing development project, picking the development site, choosing an architect, and the impact World War II had on the housing development of the United States.
Dates
- 1979 May 15- September 17
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Biographical / Historical
At the time of the Coldspring Newtown project, Robert Embry was the Undersecretary of The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and former Baltimore Housing Commissioner.
Extent
2 Items (92-minute audio recording and tape index.)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Bibliography
"Robert Embry: Leading Change in Baltimore." Nan McKay Connects. Trailblazers Impact. https://trailblazersimpact.com/2020/06/robert-embry/.
Scope and Contents
This collection includes 10 oral history video interviews, conducted by Sam Zappas and Bruce Jaffe. Along with the recordings, there are also a variety of tape indexes and transcripts.
The people interviewed were all heavily involved with the creation of the Coldspring Newtown project, including but not limited to: M.J. Brodie, the Baltimore Housing Commissioner; Robert Embry, Undersecretary of The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and former Baltimore Housing Commissioner; James Rouse, founder of the Rouse Company; Robert Heilbroner, economist; and Moshi Safdie, the world-renown architect.
Researchers should be made aware that unlike other collections in the Maryland Center for History and Culture, in this instance the term "oral history" is used much looser. It is more likely that the interviews in this collection were used for some sort of promotional video for the Coldspring Newtown site that was never finished. With this in mind, OH 8663, OH 8666, OH 8668, OH 8669 especially are not traditional oral history interviews. For example, OH 8663 and 8669 repeat the same information several times, but from different camera angles. OH 8666 includes retakes and discussions on how to film the interview. OH 8668 includes multiple "cameo shots" and "stills" that are tangentially related to the interview.
Repository Details
Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750
specialcollections@mdhistory.org