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Oral histories are intimate conversations between and among people who have generously agreed to share these recordings with BHS’s archives and researchers. Please listen in the spirit with which these were shared. BHS abides by the General Principles & Best Practices for Oral History as agreed upon by the Oral History Association and expects that use of this material will be done with respect for these professional ethics.
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[Last name, First name], Oral history interview conducted by [Interviewer’s First name Last name], [Month DD, YYYY], [Title of Collection], [Call #]; Brooklyn Historical Society.
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Theodore Gunn
Oral history interview conducted by Judith Anglin
January 31, 2008
Call number: 2008.030.18
0:04 - Gunn's introduction, connection to the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (BSRC)
2:17 - On the "elitist" Bed-Stuy of 2008 vs. "activist" Bed-Stuy of the 1960s; BSRC's role today
11:40 - Childhood; time at Harlem's Studio Museum, move to BSRC; its 1960s-era outreach programs
23:27 - Political activity in Bed-Stuy ca. 1960s; individuals, orgs indispensable to BSRC's growth
33:15 - Periods of financial challenge in BSRC's history; vital social & cultural programming
37:42 - Gunn reflects on his achievements, proud moments, and legacy at BSRC
45:41 - Interview's conclusion
Interview Description
Oral History Interview with Theodore Gunn
The artist Theodore "Teddy" Gunn, born 1931, was raised primarily in the Upstate New York town of Saugerties before moving with his family to the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan. During a lengthy career, Gunn worked with many of New York City's most respected arts and cultural institutions. In his thirty-two-year career with Restoration, he served as the director of the Center for Arts and Culture from 1970 to 1994. He served as a founding trustee, acting director, and exhibition coordinator at Harlem's Studio Museum; and served as a member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Committee for Community Programs. He served on the board of directors of many of New York City's influential institutions, including the Brooklyn Arts and Cultural Association, the Brooklyn Masonic Temple, the Washington Heights Arts Show, and The Rotunda Gallery. He died in 2010.
In this interview, Theodore "Teddy" Gunn discusses his introduction to Restoration at its inception, in the 1960s. He describes the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood and community of Brooklyn around that era, and how it's progressed over the last thirty years. Gunn calls its evolution, gentrification, and eventual inclusion of many races and peoples "totally American." He speaks of his thirty-two-year career with Restoration, and reflects on Restoration's role in shepherding community improvements via social, cultural, educational, and outreach programming. Gunn also describes his proudest achievements and legacy at Restoration. Interview conducted by Judith Anglin.
Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS) and Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Restoration) partnered on the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation oral history project in 2007-2008 to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Restoration's founding as the first community development corporation (CDC) in the United States. Nearly sixty interviews were conducted with founding Board members, supporters, activists, artists, tenants, and other community members. Audio clips from these oral history interviews were included in the exhibit "Reflections on Community Development: Stories from Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation" (BHS 2008, Restoration 2009).
Citation
Gunn, Theodore, Oral history interview conducted by Judith Anglin, January 31, 2008, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation oral histories, 2008.030.18; Brooklyn Historical Society.People
- Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
- Gunn, Theodore
- Inniss, Charles E.
- Kennedy, Robert F., 1925-1968
- Thomas, Franklin A.
Topics
- Art
- Arts
- Community development corporations
- Cultural facilities
- Gentrification
- Nonprofit organizations
- Philanthropists
Places
- Bedford-Stuyvesant (New York, N.Y.)
- Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
Finding Aid
Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation oral histories