Folklore Archives

Folklore Archive: Student Field Projects Records

drice — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 10:50:49 -0400

The Folklore Archive, established in 1939 by WSU English professors Emlyn Gardner and Thelma James, contains the oldest and largest record of urban folk traditions in the United States. To document these traditions, Wayne State University students conducted field research projects covering a broad range of topics. These projects typically consist of transcripts of oral interviews conducted by the students as part of their research. The collection is strong in modern industrial and occupational folklore, reflecting the rich ethnic diversity and workoriented heritage of Detroit and southeastern Michigan.

Folklore Archive: Studies and Research Projects Records

drice — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:26:58 -0500

The Folklore Archive, established in 1939, contains the oldest and largest record of urban folk traditions in the United States. To document these traditions, Wayne State University students conducted field research projects covering a broad range of topics. The archive is strong in modern industrial and occupational folklore, reflecting the rich ethnic diversity and work-oriented heritage of Detroit and southeastern Michigan. The Folklore Archive: Studies and Research Projects Records contain transcripts and research studies related to Greek-American family life, Southern upland migrant folk culture, traditional medical beliefs and American folk music.

Bruce L. Harkness Poletown Photographs

eclemens — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:35:38 -0500

Bruce Harkness photographed the area known as “Poletown,” a multi-ethnic, multi-racial urban area on Detroit’s East Side, from February to December 1981. These photographs document the hundreds of buildings and businesses that were demolished to make way for the construction of a General Motors assembly plant. In addition, Harkess captured vibrant urban exteriors and interiors, neighborhood landmarks, residents, and street scenes. The collection is comprised of 200 8’x10’ silver gelatin, black-and-white photo prints.

Thelma G. James Papers

thenning — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 13:31:39 -0400

Thelma G. James joined Wayne State University in 1923, known then as the College of the City of Detroit. As a professor in the English department, she taught courses on folklore and the Bible as literature. James' research concentrated on folklore and folk medicine practices of various nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. In 1939, James co-founded the Wayne State University Folklore Archive with fellow English professor Emelyn Gardner. Now the oldest and largest record of urban folk traditions in the United States, this extensive archive was the culmination of interviews conducted by James, Gardner, and their students. Throughout her career, James developed a national reputation as a pioneer of folklore studies and had had a significant impact on the Wayne State community. She received the status of Professor Emeritus upon her retirement in 1967.

This collection contains the personal papers of Thelma James, records documenting the history and organizational methods of the Wayne State University Folklore Archive, and Folklore Archive card files on diseases and other topics collected from individuals in Michigan and Detroit from a broad range of nationalities and ethnicities. The card files in this collection include Albanian, African American, Native American, Armenian, Canadian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Jewish, Lithuanian, Maltese, Mexican, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Scottish, Swedish, Syrian, Turkish, and Ukrainian folklore.

Folklore Friday: Halloween Edition, v.3

eclemens — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 13:59:59 -0400

This is the time of year that we love to indulge in sharing spooky tales with one another. In Southeastern Michigan, there is no lack of supposedly haunted places–many of which make an appearance in the Folklore Archive. The following three stories of haunted places evolved throughout the last 100 years and were recorded and analyzed by students in their field reports. read more »

Folklore Friday: Irish Edition

eclemens — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 15:59:02 -0400

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, this Folklore Friday we focus on the legends, beliefs, and traditions of the Irish, as recorded by students for their individual field projects. read more »

Folklore Friday: New Year's Eve Edition

eclemens — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 14:36:07 -0500

As 2017 draws to a close, it is time to look forward to all that is to come in the new year. This Folklore Friday we are sharing traditions and beliefs concerning New Year’s Eve. These customs are taken from student projects within the Folklore Archive that include interviews with immigrants or first-generation members of different ethnic communities throughout Southeastern Michigan, largely from Southern and Eastern Europe. read more »

Folklore Fridays: Halloween Edition

eclemens — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:18:43 -0400

It is that time of year again! Prepare thyself for the long nights to come with a sampling of supernatural tales drawn from student fieldwork projects for the Folklore Archive. read more »

Folklore Fridays: Halloween Edition

eclemens — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 23:06:59 -0400

Halloween is nearly upon us and what better way to celebrate the long, dark nights to come than through an exploration of Detroit’s supernatural landscape? read more »

In Memoriam: Pete Seeger, 1919-2014

cwesterman — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 08:05:44 -0500

The folksinger and activist Pete Seeger died Monday, January 27, 2014 at the age of 94, bringing to an end a career that lasted from the Great Depression to the twenty-first century. His lifelong engagement with culture and politics, and his deep commitment to the labor movement, brought him into continual contact with the rank and file of unionized American workers. In 1939, when Seeger was 20 years old, he worked in the Library of Congress Archive of American Folk Song as an assistant to the musicologist Alan Lomax, and it seems fitting that this onetime archivist is so well represented in the archives and manuscripts of the Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs. No fewer than twelve collections in the Reuther Library collections include correspondence, recordings, or other first-hand evidence of his career. read more »

(2207_3) Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan, 1939

eclemens — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 13:56:40 -0400

A view of graves at Elmwood Cemetery.

(WSAV002727_001) Poletown, Neighborhood Scenes, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A group of African-American men working on car repairs. Photo taken on Trombly, west of Chene.

(WSAV002727_002) Poletown, Architecture on E. Grand Blvd., 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of an apartment building with Kuehn Building in left foreground. Photo taken on E. Grand Blvd. and Chene.

(WSAV002727_003) Poletown, Businesses, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Exterior view of a corner store, located diagonally across from Immaculate Conception Church. Photo taken on Trombly at Moran.

(WSAV002727_004) Poletown, Churches, Exterior Views, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Exterior view of Holy Cross Church, an Apostolic faith storefront church located on Mitchell Street. A sign notes Elder D.B. Mahone as pastor.

(WSAV002727_005) Poletown, Demonstrations, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

View of a Pro-Central Industrial Park (CIP) Project demonstration on Jos. Campau at Finley.
Photo was taken in February or March of 1981, during the time that Ralph Nadar was in Detroit organizing against the CIP project.

(WSAV002727_006) Poletown, Neighborhood Views, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Two young African-American men pose for a photo outside of Hupp Billards on Chene, north of Milwaukee.

(WSAV002727_007) Poletown, Residents, Celebrations, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of a child's birthday party, celebrated among family and neighbors in the DuBois Apartments on E. Grand Blvd.

(WSAV002727_008) Poletown, Residents, Celebrations, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of a child's birthday party, celebrated among family and neighbors in the DuBois Apartments on E. Grand Blvd.

(WSAV002727_009) Poletown, Residents, Celebrations, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

An African-American family celebrates their child's first birthday among family and neighbors at the DuBois Apartments on E. Grand Blvd.

(WSAV002727_010) Poletown, Residents, Celebrations, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Friends and family celebrate during a child's first birthday party at the DuBois Apartments on E. Grand Blvd.

(WSAV002727_011) Poletown, Residents, Relocation, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A family on Kanter Street loads a rented truck as they prepare to leave their home during the Poletown clearances.

(WSAV002727_012) Poletown, Dodge Main, Demolition, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of the entrance to Chrysler's Dodge Main plant, taken on Jos. Campau near Dunn Street during the building's demolition.

(WSAV002727_013) Poletown, Neighborhood Views, Businesses, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of businesses on Jos. Campau, near Dunn Street, including: Mitch’s Bull Dog Bar and Ruth and Russell Soul Food.

Note: Mitch's Bulldog Bar has a graffiti tag by the Chene Gang on its exterior.

(WSAV002727_014) Poletown, Businesses, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of the Philips 76 filling station on E. Grand Blvd. and St. Aubin Street.

(WSAV002727_015) Poletown, Architecture, Piquette Street, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A row of well-kept homes on Piquette Street, west of Ellery.

(WSAV002727_016) Poletown, Neighborhood Scenes, DuBois Street, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Two African-American women pose for a portrait in front of a home located at 2190 Dubois (one block north of E. Grand Blvd.).

(WSAV002727_017) Poletown, Neighborhood Scenes, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Two African-American men pose for a photograph outside of the DuBois Apartments, located on 2420 E. Grand Blvd.

(WSAV002727_018) Poletown, Architecture, Sargent Street, 1981