Primary tabs
Guide to the Papers of H. Parker Lansdale III BHC-MSS 0239
Summary Information
- Repository:
- Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library
- Creator:
- Landsdale, H. Parker, III
- Title:
- Papers of H. Parker Lansdale III
- ID:
- BHC-MSS 0239
- Date [inclusive]:
- 1955-1983
- Physical Description:
- 7 Linear Feet
- Language of the Material:
- English .
Preferred Citation
Papers of H. Parker Lansdale III (BHC-MSS 0239), Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library.
Biographical / Historical
Dr. Herbert Parker Lansdale III, known as H. Parker Lansdale or simply Parker, was born on [date] in [year.] From the 1960s into the 1980s, he was an active part of Bridgeport's push for greater access to equity, education, and creating nonprofit social support networks to improve the community.
Lansdale's sense of service came from his family. Both his father and grandfather spent their lives working for various iterations of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). In particular, his father, H. Parker Lansdale II, was a key part of the YMCA in Greece, moving the family there when Parker was two years old. Growing up in Thessaloniki with his brother Bruce was instructive, as the area included Protestant, Greek Orthodox, and Jewish community members. Parker would later cite this inter-faith harmony as a key part of his own approach to building understanding and community across both faith and racial based lines.
Lansdale himself was an ordained Presbyterian minister, who after attending Oberlin for undergraduate education received a degree from Yale Divinity School. He was posted to various YMCAs along the east coast of the United States. He began working at Bridgeport's Y in 1961. He quickly became a part of the civic and nonprofit social service scene. In addition to the Y, he was an active part of the United Way, Action for Bridgeport Community Development, the Bridgeport Area Foundation, and most crucially, the Higher Education Center for Urban Studies (HECUS),
H.E.C.U.S., or the Higher Education Center for Urban Studies, began in 1968 as a consortium of Fairfield County colleges and universities. The original founding members were the Bridgeport Engineering Institute, Fairfield University, Housatonic Community College, Sacred Heart University, and the University of Bridgeport, although the group later expanded to include Norwalk Community College, Norwalk State Technical College, the University of Connecticut Stamford, and Western Connecticut State College. The goal of HECUS was for academic institutions to collaborate with local communities to develop programs, study local needs, and implement real change. It also worked to reach out to low income and minority students to help get them through college.
This was a natural outgrowth of other investments in urban areas, such as the Model Cities program that sought to respond to city-based concerns like urban renewal, responses to violence, and housing. Likewise, this meant that programs like the Urban Youth Corp. were meant not only to provide support for local governments, but encourage those who worked in the program to take on government or social work related jobs in order to continue the work. The Urban Youth Corp. was one of the greatest successes of the organization, running until HECUS had to close down in 1977.
The 1970s also saw H.E.C.U.S. add programs to meet the needs of the community that it served. In 1972 it created Vets of H.E.C.U.S., a special branch meant to serve the educational and community needs of returning Vietnam soldiers. Originally focused mostly on education, it evolved to provide support for housing, drug and alcohol abuse, and psychological support. While H.E.C.U.S. was able to meet many of its goals, including the publication of reports studying urban problems and providing solutions, addressing community needs through partners and through programs like the Urban Youth Corp., and more, financial issues forced the organization's closure in early 1977. Taken along with the records of the Urban Coalition and records relating to the Model Cities program, the records of H.E.C.U.S. demonstrate the post-Civil Rights era landscape in Bridgeport.
H. Parker Lansdale was also active with Bridgeport Rotary, Park City Hospital, Connecticut Health Plan, and many more organizations. In his personal life he married Elizabeth
Parker retired in 1983, leaving the state of Connecticut for Florida, where he died in 2006.
Scope and Contents
The vast majority of the collection is focused on the various organizations that Lansdale devoted his time to, especially in the 1970s. These include the Higher Education Center for Urban Studies, the YMCA both in Bridgeport and on a national level, working with the State of Connecticut on block grants and the negotiated investment strategy, the United Way, and numerous smaller nonprofit social service and civic organizations. As a result of his work, there are numerous awards and citations in the collection, mostly in the form of plaques.
There is a small volume of person and family papers placed in series I of the collection, although most of those materials are also related to his work life. Some material is focused on his wife, Dorothy.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into four series. The first contains personal and family papers, generally grouped together. Lansdale's material comes first, followed by that of his wife, then his son, then other family members and related material. Series II, Organizational commitments, focus on major nonprofit social service organizations that Lansdale played a significant leadership role in and featured a large volume of material at time of processing. Files are arranged alphabetically by organization name.
In the case of the organizational commitment files, there are rarely specific records related to traditional organization material types such as board minutes, correspondence, and so on, that would demand subseries. Lansdale rarely specified these divisions and simply placed all documents into folders with the group's name. The original order of these individual folders have been maintained.
Series III contains subject files arranged alphabetically, and series IV contains awards and citations arranged chronologically.
Administrative Information
Publication Statement
Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library
Bridgeport History CenterBridgeport Public Library925 Broad StreetBridgeport, CT 06604Business Number: 203-576-7400 (Extension: #7)URL: https://bportlibrary.org/hc/
Controlled Access Headings
- Nonprofit organizations
- Social service
- Connecticut
- Community health services -- Connecticut
- Higher Education Center for Urban Studies
- United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
- Action for Bridgeport Community Development (ABCD)
Other Finding Aids
Records of the Higher Education Center for Urban Studies (BHC-MSS 0160), Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library. https://ctdigitalarchive.org/islandora/object/110002%3A21630
Collection Inventory
Series I, Personal papers | |||
---|---|---|---|
Title/Description | Instances | ||
H. Parker Lansdale III, 1979-1983 | |||
Box 1 | folder 1-3 | ||
Speeches/articles,, undated | |||
Box 1 | folder 4 | ||
H. Parker and Lansdale III and Dottie, personal, 1977 | |||
Box 1 | folder 5 | ||
Lansdale, Dotty Dechamps, 1964-983 | |||
Box 1 | folder 6 | ||
H. Parker Lansdale Jr. (II), 1964-1972 | |||
Box 1 | folder 7-8 | ||
256 Broad Street, home, 1975-1977 | |||
Box 1 | folder 9 | ||
Lansdale, Bruce M., 1975-1976 | |||
Box 1 | folder 10 | ||
Lansdale, family, 1951-1972 | |||
Box 1 | folder 11 | ||
Lansdale, Florida, 1978-1982 | |||
Box 1 | folder 12 | ||
Commencement programs, 1950s, 1972 | |||
Box 1 | folder 13 | ||
Goodspeed, Harrison and Hueber, 1976-1978 | |||
Box 1 | folder 14 | ||
Series II, Organizational commitments | |||
Title/Description | Instances | ||
Higher Education Center for Urban Studies (HECUS), 1976-1982 | |||
Box 1 | folder 15-19 | ||
HECUS close out, 1978-1982 | |||
Box 1 | folder 20 | ||
HECUS Publication list, 1977-1978 | |||
Box 1 | folder 21 | ||
HECUS staff, Allen, Clara, 1977 | |||
Box 1 | folder 22 | ||
HECUS staff, Arroyo, Lucy, 1973 | |||
Box 1 | folder 23 | ||
HECUS staff, Armistead, William, 1975 | |||
Box 1 | folder 24 | ||
HECUS staff, Bravo, Lynn Elizabeth, undated | |||
Box 1 | folder 25 | ||
HECUS staff, Buxton, Sidney, undated | |||
Box 1 | folder 26 | ||
HECUS staff, Castello, Reinaldo, 1974 | |||
Box 1 | folder 27 | ||
HECUS staff, Davenport, Wayne, 1974 | |||
Box 1 | folder 28 | ||
HECUS staff, Dejesus, Oscar, 1972 | |||
Box 1 | folder 29 | ||
HECUS staff, Delgado, Frank, 1979 | |||
Box 1 | folder 30 | ||
HECUS staff, Harris, Victoria, 1972 | |||
Box 1 | folder 31 | ||
HECUS staff, Kinney, Gail, 1971-1975 | |||
Box 1 | folder 32 | ||
HECUS staff, Langston, John, 1975-1976 | |||
Box 1 | folder 33 | ||
HECUS staff, Luna, Wilson, 1977 | |||
Box 1 | folder 34 | ||
HECUS staff, Manduca, Albert M., 1975 | |||
Box 1 | folder 35 | ||
HECUS staff, Michelle, Donaldo, 1977 | |||
Box 1 | folder 36 | ||
HECUS staff, Nelson, Alfred, 1975 | |||
Box 1 | folder 37 | ||
HECUS staff, Purvis, Rosa, 1974 | |||
Box 1 | folder 38 | ||
HECUS staff, Rainey, Mary Ann, 1972 | |||
Box 1 | folder 39 | ||
HECUS staff, Robinson, Isiah, 1976-1977 | |||
Box 1 | folder 40 | ||
HECUS staff, Schine, Joan, 1974 | |||
Box 1 | folder 41 | ||
ECUS staff, Special services staff termination letters and materials, 1976 | |||
Box 1 | folder 42 | ||
HECUS staff, Sharkoor, Abdul Tariq [Todd, Thomas], 1976-1977 | |||
Box 1 | folder 43 | ||
HECUS staff, Tyson, Mileage W., 1975-1977 | |||
Box 1 | folder 44 | ||
HECUS staff, Stokes. Cortez B, 1977 | |||
Box 1 | folder 45 | ||
HECUS staff, Watz, Lila Philips,, 1971 | |||
Box 1 | folder 46 | ||
HECUS staff, Velez, Eunice, 1977 | |||
Box 1 | folder 47 | ||
Vitae, general, 1969-1978 | |||
Box 1 | folder 48 | ||
Vets of HECUS, 1977-1978 | |||
Box 1 | folder 49 | ||
Mental health study (state), 1979-1982 | |||
Box 1 | folder 50-51 | ||
Mental health study (state), 1979-1982 | |||
Box 2 | folder 1 | ||
Negotiated Investment Strategy and task force on block grants, 1980-1983 | |||
Box 2 | folder 2-11 | ||
United Way, 1976-1982 | |||
Box 2 | folder 12-19 | ||
YMCA, Bi-regional advisory committee, for NY management services center, 1977-1978 | |||
Box 2 | folder 20 | ||
YMCA, Greater Bridgeport, 1962-1979 | |||
Box 2 | folder 21-22 | ||
YMCA, Greek, 1978-1979 | |||
Box 2 | folder 23 | ||
YMCA, historic library, 1971-1976 | |||
Box 2 | folder 24 | ||
YMCA, international division,, 1978-1981 | |||
Box 2 | folder 25-26 | ||
YMCA, international division,, 1978-1981 | |||
Box 3 | folder 1-5 | ||
YMCA, National board training committee, 1976 | |||
Box 3 | folder 6 | ||
YMCA, National board of YMCAs of the USA, 1979-1981 | |||
Box 3 | folder 7 | ||
YMCA, Northeast region, 1975-1981 | |||
Box 3 | folder 8 | ||
YMCA, operating ratios, 1977 | |||
Box 3 | folder 9 | ||
YMCA, perspective article, 1977 | |||
Box 3 | folder 10 | ||
YMA, purpose, 1977 | |||
Box 3 | folder 11 | ||
YMCA, related data, 1977-1981 | |||
Box 3 | folder 12 | ||
YMCA, research and development, 1977-1981 | |||
Box 3 | folder 13-14 | ||
YMCA, tri-state regional planning committee, 1974-1976 | |||
Box 3 | folder 15 | ||
Series III, Subject files | |||
Title/Description | Instances | ||
Academy of Certified Professional Directors, 1973-1981 | |||
Box 3 | folder 16-18 | ||
Adolescent pregnancy program, 1982 | |||
Box 3 | frame 19 | ||
Bannow foundation, 1971-1972 | |||
Box 3 | folder 20 | ||
Ambulatory task force, 1979-1980 | |||
Box 3 | folder 21 | ||
Area agency on aging, 1979-1982 | |||
Box 3 | folder 22 | ||
Bridgeport Area Foundation, 1975-1980 | |||
Box 3 | folder 23-28 | ||
Bridgeport Economic Development Administration,, 1976-1978 | |||
Box 3 | folder 29-30 | ||
Bridgeport Economic Development Administration, 1976-1978 | |||
Box 4 | folder 1-2 | ||
Channel 43, Bridgeport, 1979 | |||
Box 4 | folder 3 | ||
Christ-Janer, Dr. Arland F., 1981-1982 | |||
Box 4 | folder 4 | ||
Clifford, Arthur, 1975 | |||
Box 4 | folder 5 | ||
Coastal area management program, 1980 | |||
Box 4 | folder 6 | ||
Connecticut Energy Corp, 1982 | |||
Box 4 | folder 7 | ||
Connecticut Health Plan, 1975-1980 | |||
Box 4 | folder 8-10 | ||
Connecticut Institute of Health, Manpower, and Resource, Inc., 1977 | |||
Box 4 | folder 11 | ||
Correspondence, 1975-1982 | |||
Box 4 | folder 12-14 | ||
Council for Institutional Leadership, 1978-1982 | |||
Box 4 | folder 15-16 | ||
Council of Presidents, undated | |||
Box 4 | folder 17 | ||
Department on Aging, 1980-1983 | |||
Box 4 | folder 18 | ||
Dialog [interfaith], 1963-1968 | |||
Box 4 | folder 19 | ||
Disarmament and development, 1978 | |||
Box 4 | folder 20 | ||
Dodd, Christopher, 1980-1981 | |||
Box 4 | folder 21 | ||
Dresch, Stephen, 1976-1977 | |||
Box 4 | folder 22 | ||
Energy steering committee, 1981 | |||
Box 4 | folder 23 | ||
Experimental learning center, Springfield College, 1974-1977 | |||
Box 4 | folder 24-28 | ||
General Electric foundation, 1970-1975 | |||
Box 4 | folder 29 | ||
German Marshall fund of the USA,, 1979 | |||
Box 4 | folder 30 | ||
Greater Bridgeport emergency fuel committee, undated | |||
Box 4 | folder 31 | ||
Greater Bridgeport regional planning agency, 1976-1977 | |||
Box 4 | folder 32 | ||
Health systems agency, 1980-1982 | |||
Box 4 | folder 33 | ||
Higher education material, 1979 | |||
Box 4 | folder 34 | ||
Hospice, 1979-1980 | |||
Box 4 | folder 35 | ||
Housatonic Community College, 1981-1982 | |||
Box 4 | folder 36 | ||
Independent sector, 1981 | |||
Box 4 | folder 37 | ||
Interdistrict council, public schools, 1976-1982 | |||
Box 4 | folder 38 | ||
Interfaith clergy, 1977-1978 | |||
Box 4 | folder 39 | ||
Interfaith tribute to Lansdale, 1972 | |||
Box 4 | folder 40 | ||
Intergroup committee, 1976-1979 | |||
Box 4 | folder 41-43 | ||
Juvenile delinquency, 1955 | |||
Box 5 | folder 1 | ||
Legislature, State of Connecticut, 1978-1982 | |||
Box 5 | folder 2 | ||
Liturgical Musical festival, 1976-1978 | |||
Box 5 | folder 3 | ||
Manning, President Thurston, 1973-1977 | |||
Box 5 | folder 4 | ||
Manpower report, 1976-1977 | |||
Box 5 | folder 5 | ||
Material for book, 1956-1968 | |||
Box 5 | folder 6 | ||
Mayor's conference remarks, 1982 | |||
Box 5 | folder 7 | ||
McManus, Michael, 1976-1977 | |||
Box 5 | folder 8-9 | ||
Miscellaneous, 1960-1993 | |||
Box 5 | folder 10-12 | ||
Morton, Margaret, 1982 | |||
Box 5 | folder 13 | ||
Neighborhood housing services, 1975-1978 | |||
Box 5 | folder 14 | ||
Oberlin College, 1977-1979 | |||
Box 5 | folder 15-17 | ||
Park City Hospital, 1977-1979 | |||
Box 5 | folder 18-22 | ||
Peace education task force, 1979 | |||
Box 5 | folder 23 | ||
People's Savings Bank, undated | |||
Box 5 | folder 24 | ||
Presby of Southern New England, 1976-1982 | |||
Box 5 | folder 25-26 | ||
Project OWN, 1977-1978 | |||
Box 5 | folder 27 | ||
Records to University of Bridgeport, 1978 | |||
Box 5 | folder 28 | ||
References (letters of), 1974-1977 | |||
Box 5 | folder 29 | ||
References, 1978-1982 | |||
Box 5 | folder 30 | ||
Regional plan association, 1978 | |||
Box 5 | folder 31 | ||
Rotary, 1972-1982 | |||
Box 5 | folder 32 | ||
Rotary Housing Corporation, 1970-1978 | |||
Box 5 | folder 33-34 | ||
Royal bank of Canada, 1973-1978 | |||
Box 5 | folder 35 | ||
Sacred Heart University, 1981 | |||
Box 5 | folder 36 | ||
Springfield Masters Program, 1980 | |||
Box 5 | folder 37 | ||
Rudkin foundation, 1972-1973 | |||
Box 5 | folder 38 | ||
Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging, 1977-1978 | |||
Box 5 | folder 39 | ||
Southwest Connecticut Health Systems Agency, 1978-1980 | |||
Box 5 | folder 40 | ||
Streets for people, 1979 | |||
Box 6 | folder 1 | ||
United States government, 1980-1981 | |||
Box 6 | folder 2 | ||
University of Bridgeport, 1977-1982 | |||
Box 6 | folder 3-5 | ||
Urban observatory, 1977-1979 | |||
Box 6 | folder 6 | ||
Victim symposium, 1978 | |||
Box 6 | folder 7 | ||
Yale University, undated | |||
Box 6 | folder 8 | ||
Series IV, Awards and citations | |||
Title/Description | Instances | ||
Awards and citations, 1960-1983 | |||
Box 6 | folder 9-12 | ||
Rotary club president plaque, 1967 | |||
Box 7 | item 1 | ||
Outstanding Citizen, Civitan Club, 1968 | |||
Box 7 | item 2 | ||
State of Israel bonds, 1972 | |||
Box 6 | item 13 | ||
Edward J. Kocahn Citizenship Award, YMCA and HECUS, 1973 | |||
Box 7 | item 3 | ||
Connecticut Valley Americanism Award, 1974 | |||
Box 6 | item 14 | ||
SWCAA board president, 1980-1982 | |||
Box 6 | item 15 | ||
Kolbe Catherdral High School, 1982 | |||
Box 7 | item 4 | ||
YMCA international division, 1982 | |||
Box 6 | item 16 | ||
Bridgeport Consumer Advisory Council, 1983 | |||
Box 6 | item 17 | ||
Hall Neighborhood House, 1983 | |||
Box 6 | item 18 | ||
Action for Bridgeport Community Development, undated | |||
Box 6 | item 19 | ||
Professional social worker certificate, National Association of Social Workers, undated | |||
Box 7 | item 5 | ||