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Description
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The Adolph Schauder Collection provides a glimpse into the public service and social impact of Adolph Schauder (1880–1968), a prominent figure in Port Elizabeth civic life who served as a City Councillor for 40 years and Mayor from 1940 to 1942. The material's primary focus is Schauder's lifelong dedication to mass housing and slum clearance, which earned him the title “Father of Housing” in Port Elizabeth. The collection documents his instrumental role in building over 30,000 houses for all races and the establishment of sub-economic housing schemes, such as Schauderville (named after him) and McNamee Village.
Archival records related to Schauder's legacy—including administrative files, photographs, and personal papers—are held by various South African institutions, such as the Port Elizabeth Jewish Museum and the National Archives and Records Service. The collection is a source for researchers studying local government, social policy, Jewish community history, and urban development in mid-20th-century Port Elizabeth, reflecting his service on the Municipal Housing Committee and the National Housing and Planning Commission.
