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Chicago: Passport to the World Videotape Collection

 Collection
Identifier: spe-cpw

Scope and Contents

Using many of the ethnic festivals held throughout the year in the city's neighborhoods, in Daley Plaza, and in Grant Park, Chicago: Passport to the World features Chicago’s immigrant communities through the sights and sounds of the Scottish Highlands, a Chinese street, a Greek restaurant, an Italian statuary shop, exquisite metal sculptures from Haiti, a Japanese man creating intricate silk brocade and a Viennese baker removing layer cakes three at a time from his huge oven, shredding the chocolate and spreading the whipped cream. Communities featured include those of immigrants from India, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Israel, Spain, Mexico and Thailand. Programs featuring local themes include looks at several Chicago neighborhoods, the Board of Education and Local School Councils, homeless in Chicago, Chicago's music scene with well-known local musicians and more.

Dates

  • Creation: 1987 - 1994

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.

Biographical / Historical

Chicago: Passport to the World, produced by Talman Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, could be seen weekly on Chicago-area cable T.V. networks. The program, hosted by Talman Vice President Thomas Gobby, presented Chicago's diversity and global character and recognized the people who immigrated to Chicago and made the city their home, while also preserving their native heritage, cultures and traditions.

Extent

6 Linear Feet (in 6 boxes, including 135 videotapes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection comprises videos produced by Talman Home Federal Savings and Loan Association of Chicago and seen on a Chicago-area cable network. The series presents Chicago’s diversity through interviews with individuals, organizations and groups.

Arrangement

Videotapes are arranged in chronological order beginning with the series' first program in 1987, which featured many of Chicago's ethnic neighborhoods, through shows aired in the summer of 1994. Each tape has been assigned a program number, which are not in exact numerical order here. Some dates listed reflect when the program aired, and some reflect when it was recorded.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Thomas J. Gobby, Vice President, LaSalle Talman Bank, in 1994.

Related Materials

Neighborhood History Research Collection

Title
Guide to the Chicago: Passport to the World Videotape Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Original author unknown. Processed, circa 1994. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Johanna Russ, 2022.
Date
circa 1994
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Unit at Harold Washington Library Center Repository

Contact:
Harold Washington Library Center, 9th Floor
Chicago Public Library
400 S. State Street
Chicago IL 60605 United States
(312) 747-4875