Architecture

Cordelia Brown Papers

drice — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 09:29:39 -0400

Cordelia Brown is an active member in the Lafayette Park high-rise residential neighborhood, which is part of the Mies van der Rohe Residential District in Detroit. She moved to Lafayette Park in 1961, and has since collected materials related to the neighborhood, some of which were included in an exhibit, Inside Lafayette Park, at Lafayette Park Retail in 2012.

The Cordelia Brown Papers contains material related to Lafayette Park from 1961 to 2012. The materials, including newspaper clippings, magazine articles, flyers, and newsletters, document residential activities, anniversary celebrations, exhibits, and press related to the residential neighborhood.

Fred Hansen Papers

kschmeling — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 15:15:31 -0400

Fred Hansen (1914-1964) was a construction superintendent for Darin & Armstrong, Inc., a construction firm that worked with famed architect Minoru Yamasaki. Hansen served as the superintendent on three of Yamasaki’s Detroit projects: the Reynolds Metals Regional Sales Headquarters for Southeastern Michigan, Benjamin Franklin Junior High School, and the Helen DeRoy Auditorium at Wayne State University.

This collection consists of photographs, press releases and news clippings on the Reynolds building and Helen DeRoy Auditorium, as well as correspondence between Yamasaki, Darin & Armstrong Inc., and Hansen. Additional construction worksite photos are also included, along with a photograph of Fred Hansen himself.

Alan W. Mather Papers

drice — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:23:03 -0500

Alan Mather was an architect in New York, Detroit, and Chicago, working for various well-known firms. His papers reflect his architectural career and his interest and activity involving unionization of architectural employees.

William Kessler and Associates Records

drice — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:50:26 -0400

Subjects include: Poletown section of Detroit

Wayne State University Architectural Drawings Collection

cwesterman — Tue, 26 May 2015 15:35:39 -0400

This collection consists of blueprints and other architectural drawings of buildings currently or previously owned by Wayne State University. The majority of drawings in this collection depict buildings no longer owned by the University, due to demolition or sale.

Preservation Wayne Records

drice — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:36:22 -0500

Preservation Wayne (PW), originally known as the Wayne State University Historical Preservation Association, emerged in 1975 as a student movement to protest the destruction of historic structures on the Wayne State University (WSU) campus and in the Cultural Center district. They were successful in saving a number of structures from demolition and securing historical designations for buildings and areas around campus. In 1988, with its membership diversifying outside the university community, PW became an independent non-profit organization, continuing its preservation efforts in Detroit, conducting workshops on historic rehabilitation and offering guided walking tours of historic neighborhoods.

PW Records documents the origins, activities, preservation efforts, and operations of PW.

Minoru Yamasaki Papers

drice — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:53:56 -0500

Minoru Yamasaki, (1912-1986), best known as the architect of the World Trade Center, New York City, was born into poverty as a second generation Japanese-American in Seattle, Washington. He put himself through the University of Washington and New York University to study architecture, worked in New York for several years, and eventually made his way to Detroit in 1945 where he established his home and his business. He eventually distinguished himself as one of the premier architects of the 20th century with his signature style - tall narrow windows, gothic inspired arches, and open ground level areas. His work in Michigan includes Temple Beth El, Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, and four buildings on the Wayne State University campus (College of Education, McGregor Memorial Conference Center, Helen L. De Roy Auditorium, Prentis Building). Other works include Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (1956), U.S. Science Pavilion, Seattle World’s Fair (1962), Century Plaza Towers, Los Angeles (1975), and Eastern Province International Airport, Saudi Arabia (1985).

The papers of Minoru Yamasaki include correspondence regarding projects, travel, communications with peers and associates, magazine exposure, invitations to speak, and professional organizations. Early architectural drawings, speeches and writings, photographs, awards and doctoral degrees, scrapbooks detailing the progress of his career, and various publications are also included.

Collection Spotlight: Minoru Yamasaki's Campus Buildings

cwesterman — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 10:20:10 -0400

On April 15, 2015, the National Park Service designated Wayne State University's McGregor Memorial Conference Center as a national historic landmark. The 1958 building is one of four on the Wayne State campus designed by the architect Minoru Yamasaki.

On May 1, 2013, the reflecting pool and sculpture garden of the McGregor Memorial Conference Center was re-opened to the public after months of restoration and repairs. Information on the reopening ceremony, and details about the renovation, can be found here. read more »

By virtue of the time and place of its founding and development -- that is, a large industrial city in the 20th Century -- Wayne State University has always been a modern

Exhibit Announcement: Wayne State University Architecture

eclemens — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 12:21:06 -0500

Wayne State enjoys one of the most distinctive campuses in the state. The development of this space, however, has been a constant challenge due to its urban setting and lack of available land. The campus we enjoy today is the result of nearly 100 years of adaptive reuse of historic structures and new construction. read more »

Reuther Library celebrates 50 years on campus!

slebovitz — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:18:02 -0400

The Walter P. Reuther Library is proudly celebrating its 50th year on campus! Built in 1975, our building’s brutalist architecture and gleaming windows have been a beacon for researchers across the world, and we want to show off in style.

Join us as we kick off this week with an incredible event with Alan Reuther to celebrate his new book, Roy Reuther and the UAW: Fighting for Workers and Civil Rights. read more »

The Archives at 50: Remembering our Dedication Day, May 23, 1975

eclemens — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:31:14 -0400

This blog post is part of a series celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Reuther Library's building.

May 23, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the Walter P. Reuther Library building – home to the largest labor archives in North America and the Wayne State University Archives. read more »

The Building that Could Have Been

slebovitz — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 10:52:49 -0400

This blog post is part of a series celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Reuther Library's building.

“We have, at the present time, one large round table which will, at best, handle four researchers,” writes Dr. Philip Mason, founder of the archives at Wayne State University, as he describes the capacity for scholars in Purdy-Kresge to President William Rea Keast. read more »

(25941) Buildings, McGregor Memorial, Gardens, 1960s

eclemens — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:55:22 -0400

Exterior view of the McGregor Memorial Conference Center with students lounging in the adjacent Japanese Gardens in view.

(28526) Mike Ilitch, Fox Theater, Detroit, 1990

eclemens — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:45:01 -0400

Detroit businessman Mike Ilitch poses on the staircase of the newly restored Fox Theater.

(vmc10489) Michigan Avenue, Before widening, Detroit, 1930

eclemens — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 14:05:05 -0400

A high angle view of Michigan Avenue before it was widened, looking east toward 8th Street from Church Street. Vernor Furniture Company, American Rescue Workers, Beresh Jewelers, and Peoples Wayne County Bank are in view.

(vmc28912) Michigan Avenue, Near Trumbull, Detroit, 1977

eclemens — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 14:11:06 -0400

Traffic passes through Corktown's Michigan Avenue near Trumbull after the street was widened. Old Tiger Stadium, Nemo's Bar, and Louie's Place stand on the north side of the street.

(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