Depressions--1929

Estelle Wolf Photographs

eclemens — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 10:46:02 -0500

The Estelle Wolf photographs consist of 280 photographs Ms. Wolf took during her tenure as a WPA photographer in Detroit. Under the WPA, her assignments involved taking photos of workers on federally funded projects or of the people who benefited from these projects. The collection was originally housed in three scrapbooks. The photographs have been removed from the books, placed on archival backings, and are numbered by the original order. Some of the photographs in this collection were published within Progress in Michigan, a newsletter issued by the Michigan Works Progress Administration. Copies of Progress in Michigan can be found at the Bentley Historical Library of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Other examples of Wolf’s work can be found within the collections of the New York Public Library and the Library of Congress. For further information on Ms. Wolf's life, please consult her oral history within Grand Valley State University's Digital Collections.

Works Progress Administration National Research Project Publication Records

aorchard — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 14:48:56 -0500

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was signed into creation by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in order to research and develop solutions for unemployment in America. During its tenure, the WPA built roads, schools, hospitals, parks, and airports. Additionally, the WPA had a hand in funding some plays, literary publications, and art projects. The WPA was dissolved in June 1943 at a time when American unemployment was relatively low as a result of the creation of jobs due to World War II.

The Works Progress Administration National Research Project Publication Records contains reports created by the Works Progress Administration under the National Research Project and National Bureau of Economic Research. The reports focus on the viability of industry jobs such as mining, lumber, and agriculture. Additionally, the reports examine technological advances and their impact on employment.

Collection Spotlight: George C. Edwards, Jr. Papers

Public Relations Team — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:05:46 -0400

In the Winter 2012 semester, the Reuther Library worked with students in the Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration program at the Wayne State School of Library and Information Science to produce a series of student-written, guest blog posts.

Timothy McRoberts is a student at Wayne State's School of Information and Library Science.

George C. Edwards, Jr., had a major influence on the post World War II city of Detroit. read more »

Collection Spotlight: The Edward Stanton Photographs

eclemens — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 10:23:48 -0500

The Reuther Library is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Edward Stanton Photographs. The collection features the earliest surviving work of the Detroit-born photographer, Edward Stanton (1914-2006), and includes images taken in Detroit’s Paradise Valley and Black Bottom neighborhoods in the years surrounding the end of the Great Depression. read more »

Collection Spotlight: UAW Local 174 Mural

eclemens — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 11:49:00 -0400

In 1937, United Auto Workers Local 174 sponsored the creation of a series of murals to enliven their Union Hall and celebrate their rich, if relatively young, history. The resulting work proved to be one of the most memorable pieces of Detroit’s New Deal-era artwork. read more »

HistoryPin: Tour the Detroit Sit-Down Strikes of 1937

eclemens — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 16:14:23 -0500

The Reuther Library is pleased to announce its partnership with HistoryPin. For the uninitiated, HistoryPin is a popular, interactive social media platform that uses geotagging to link historical photographs to modern mapping systems. Partnering institutions and individuals--currently thousands across the globe-- “pin” still images, audio resources, or moving images to their subject’s original location. These pins can be grouped together in a tour or collection, each allowing for the individual user to explore historical topics or locations. The platform is widely available through a website or via mobile device applications. read more »

(1608) Depression, Hoovervilles, Detroit, 1930s

eclemens — Tue, 01 May 2012 09:17:19 -0400

Photograph, taken near Detroit's Black Bottom neighborhood, shows sub-standard housing available to the poor during the Great Depression.

Snapshot part of a series taken by Walter and Victor Reuther.

(33933) Portraits, Edward Stanton, Undated

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:27 -0500

Undated portrait of the photographer and fine artist Edward "Bucky" Stanton.

(5405) Unemployed Union, Exterior View, New York, 1930s.

eclemens — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 13:11:15 -0400

An exterior view of the building that housed New York's Unemployment Union, located at 90 E. 10th Street in the East Village neighborhood.

The Unemployed Union was created by the IWW in 1931 to organize workers who were without jobs during the Great Depression. Locals were active in New York, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon.

(5406) Unemployment, Demonstrations, Unemployed Union, New York, 1930s

eclemens — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 13:11:15 -0400

Members of the "Unemployed Union" demonstrate outside of a carpentry shop in New York City.

The Unemployed Union was created by the IWW in 1931 to organize workers who were without jobs during the Great Depression. Locals were active in New York, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon.

(33630) War Industry, Women Workers, Velvac Company, 1942

eclemens — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 10:59:24 -0400

A view of war workers at their stations at the Velvac Plant in Detroit, Michigan.

(33761) Children Playing, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:24 -0500

A boy shadowboxes as his friend looks on.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33762) Neighborhood Boxing Match, Children, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:24 -0500

A pair of boys take each other on during a boxing match as their friends laughingly cheer them on.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33764) Portraits, Children, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:24 -0500

A young boy poses for a portrait while giving the Boy Scout salute.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33766) Portraits, Children, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:24 -0500

An unidentified boy pulls a Napoleon pose for the photographer.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33767) Children Playing, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:24 -0500

A candid view of a group of children at play in a neighborhood alleyway.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33770) Portraits, Children, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

An unidentified boy poses for a portrait.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33771) Portraits, Children, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

An unidentified boy poses for a portrait.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33772) Portraits, Children, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

A young boy pulls a boxing pose for the photographer.

NOTE: Subject was identified as "Earl Fowler, Jr." by a community member.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33773) Portraits, Children, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

An unidentified boy poses for a portrait.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33774) Portraits, Children, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

A young boy poses for a portrait. Identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33776) Children Playing, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

A group of children shoot marbles in the neighborhood alleyway. Hand-painted on the fence in the background is an advertisement for firewood for sale.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33777) Portraits, Children, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

A child poses for a portrait by the photographer, Edward Stanton. Identity is unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33779) Portraits, Children, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

A child poses for a portrait by the photographer, Edward Stanton. Identity is unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33782) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

Three young boys pose for a group portrait by the photographer, Edward Stanton. Identities are unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33785) Children Playing, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

Three children play in an unidentified waterway.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Black Bottom neighborhood.

(33786) Portraits, Children, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

A pair of boys pose for a portrait by the photographer, Edward Stanton. Identities unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33787) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

A pair of boys pose for a portrait by the photographer, Edward Stanton. Identities unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33788) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

Portrait of a young boy, dressed in his Sunday best. Identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33789) Potraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

Portrait of a boy, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33790) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

Portrait of a boy standing in snow, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33791) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:25 -0500

A group of young pose pose for a photo while standing in a light snow, identities unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33793) Children Playing, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

A young boy plays marbles in an alleyway, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33794) Children Playing, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

A young boy plays marbles in an alleyway, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33795) Children Playing, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

A group of children crowd in to have a group photograph taken.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children on the Near East Side, adjacent to Detroit’s Black Bottom neighborhood.

(33796) Children Playing, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

A group of boys shoot marbles in the neighborhood alleyway.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33798) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

Portrait of a young boy in the snow, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33801) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

Portrait of a young boy, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33802) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

Portrait of a young boy, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33804) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

A young boy enjoys a popsicle on a summer's day, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33805) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

Portrait of a young boy. Identified by a community member as being "Perry Lopez".

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33807) Street Scene, Children Playing, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

Children play in an opened fire hydrant on a warm summer's day.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33808) Street Scenes, Children Playing, Near East Side, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

Children play in an opened fire hydrant on a warm summer's day.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33809) Street Scenes, Children Playing, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:26 -0500

Children play in an opened fire hydrant on a warm summer's day.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33810) Street Scenes, Children Playing, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:27 -0500

Children play in an opened fire hydrant on a warm summer's day.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33811) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:27 -0500

A young boy, wet from playing in an opened fire hydrant, poses for a portrait, identity unknown. .

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33812) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:27 -0500

A young child, wet from playing in an opened fire hydrant, poses for a portrait, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33813) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:27 -0500

A young girl poses for a photograph, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33815) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:27 -0500

A young girl poses for a photograph, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.

(33816) Portraits, Children, Black Bottom, Detroit

eclemens — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:29:27 -0500

A pair of boys, wet from playing in an opened fire hydrant, pose for a portrait, identity unknown.

Part of a series of photographs taken of children in Detroit’s Near East Side. The area includes the Brush Park, Paradise Valley, and Black Bottom neighborhoods.