Interview with J. Edgar Rhoads, 1969 April 14 [audio](part 6)

Hagley ID:
Download
  • Relief efforts in China; Thoughts on Herbert Hoover's presidency
    Partial Transcript: "This work was entirely in mainland China..." "I had practically no contact with them..."
    Synopsis: Rhoads talk about relief efforts in China. He notes that he had very few Chinese contacts at this time. He gives his thoughts on Hoover's presidency, and his thoughts on Hoover's leading relief efforts following World War I.
    Keywords: China; Chinese Revolution; Communism; Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964; Raskob, John J. (John Jakob), 1879-1950; Relief; World War (1914-1918)
  • Awareness of the Holocaust while working in Poland
    Partial Transcript: "We knew what that meant.. they were herded into these freight cars... and shipped to a death camp in southwestern Poland."
    Synopsis: Rhoads talks about his awareness of the Holocaust when he was in Poland in 1939-1940.
    Keywords: Antisemitism; Holocaust; World War (1939-1945)
  • More on post World War I relief work; Wildlife conservation work; Thoughts on college education; Thoughts on the 1969 Harvard student strike
    Partial Transcript: "It still continues in a different form now, and I was on it for a good many years, and I was chairman of it for a number of years..."
    Synopsis: Rhoads talks some more about relief efforts following World War I. He explains that the organization he was part of wanted to establish aid on both sides. He talks about his interest and role in wildlife conservation efforts. Rhoads expresses his belief that small colleges provide a stronger educational environment than large ones. Rhoads and the interviewer discuss the 1969 student strike at Harvard.
    Keywords: 1969 Harvard student strike; Bryn Mawr College; College; Conservation; Education; France; Germany; Relief; Wildlife; World War (1914-1918)
  • Continued association with William Penn Charter School; Thoughts on College education 2; Members of the du Pont family; Business and industrial history
    Partial Transcript: "I went to the Penn Charter School as a boy in 1900..."
    Synopsis: Rhoads talks about his time as a student at the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, Pa. He talks about his college education and continues to offer his opinions on education. He talks about members of the du Pont family and the founding of the Delaware Museum of Natural History. He discusses industrial and business history.
    Keywords: Bodowin College; Delaware Museum of Natural History; du Pont family; Education; Leather belting; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Philadelphia, Pa.; Teaching; William Penn Charter School
Details
Title

Interview with J. Edgar Rhoads, 1969 April 14 [audio](part 6)

Date Created

1969-04-14

Scope and Content

Rhoads describes the effects of the Great Depression on the company, improvements made to leather products, and employing African Americans. He also discusses changes in the company's buildings throughout the years. Rhoads recounts his civic endeavors, including working with the Boy Scouts, with the YMCA, and with various engineering and nature groups. He also describes how he sought to use the manpower of conscientious objectors, such as Quakers, to serve the country in other ways during wartime. He describes his impressions of World War I and World War II in detail, including his relief efforts in Germany. He also discusses his own education.

Interviewee

Rhoads, J. Edgar

Interviewer

Wilkinson, Norman B.
Pizor, Faith K.

Biographical Note

J. Edgar Rhoads (b. 1883) grew up in the family that started J.E. Rhoads & Sons, Inc., a leather manufacturing firm.

Note

3 of 3
Part 5: Ends abruptly in mid-answer but picks up on Part 6, Part 6: Ends abruptly

Subject(s)

Tanneries
Industrial management
Labor movement

Find all items with name(s)

Rhoads, J. Edgar
Wilkinson, Norman B.
Pizor, Faith K.

Genre

oral histories

Brand Information

Sound Tape, Extra Triple Play, Polyester, 1200 ft.3412P

Language

English

Type of resource

sound recording-nonmusical

Extent

1 sound tape reel : 1.875 ips. TRT Part 5 - 1:59:43, Part 6 - 0:42:19

Physical Details

A and B
Part 5:1:59:43, Part 6: 0:42:19

Repository

Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library

Original Collection

Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation interviews on the history of the DuPont Company Powder Yard (Accession 1970.370)

Original Identifier

1970.370.082

Finding Aid

http://findingaids.hagley.org/xtf/view?docId=ead/1970_370.xml

Item Location

Box 3, Reel 82

Preferred Citation

[Description and dates], 1970370_91213_Rhoads_part6, Box 3, Reel 82, Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation interviews on the history of the DuPont Company Powder Yard (Accession 1970.370), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington, DE 19807

Access Condition

Access to this item is provided for educational and research purposes only. The user assumes responsibility for obtaining permission from the copyright holder to publish or distribute this material. If you would like more information, please contact askhagley@hagley.org

Hagley ID

1970370_91213_Rhoads_part6

PID

islandora:2277551

Digitized material in this online archive may document imagery or language that reflects racist, ableist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise offensive and harmful beliefs and actions in history. Hagley Library is engaged in ongoing efforts to address and responsibly present evidence of oppression and injustice in our collections. If you are concerned about the archival material presented here, or want to learn more about our ongoing work, please contact us at research@hagley.org.