Blogs

Note: This text includes language that is outdated and may be offensive. Titles of events and writings are included in their original language circa 1963.

A little-known collection in the Wayne State University Archives documents an event that took place at the university in 1963, 60 years ago this year, but commemorating a historic event 100 years before that. The year-long observance — the centennial of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation — was marked by celebrations, lectures, symposia, performances, and the granting of honorary degrees. The small collection of the Wayne State University Emancipation Centennial Committee, which resides at the Walter P. Reuther Library, contains a wealth of correspondence, texts of speeches, and academic papers.  read more »

The Reuther Library Reading Room will be closed to the public on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, to allow for furniture installation. We will reopen on Thursday, September 28th for regular Reading Room hours.

The Reuther Library will be hosting a Homecoming Open House on Thursday, October 5, 2023 from 4 - 6 p.m. Tours will take place at 4:15 and 5:15 and will highlight our University collections; including yearbooks, editions of The South End, photos, and film highlighting WSU students and alumni, as well as featured material from our Labor and Urban Affairs collections.

Please join us as we take a look back at campus life through the years and kick off another academic year for the history books! For more information, please call the Reuther Library at 313.577.4024 or email Molly Banes (gh1381@wayne.edu). We look forward to seeing you there!

The Reuther Library will be closed September 4, 2023, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 5th for regular business hours.

Feel free to submit your questions via Ask an Archivist and we will respond upon our return. Have a happy and safe holiday!