Schenectady During the Depression: An Analysis Through Primary Sources

This project aims to understand and analyze the deep historical significance of Schenectady's downturn during the Great Depression in the 1930s. Using primary source documents from the Union College Special Collections archive and other sources, it will aim to analyze the impact of the economic catastrophe on the city itself as well as its residents. The project will also look at the Union College community during the Depression, to understand the impact it had on the college as an institution and its students. It will also attempt to understand the impact (or lack thereof) of federal efforts to ease the economic situation on residents.