Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor & Urban Affairs

10/14/2026

Let’s be clear Detroit’s history is too rich, dynamic, and complex for any one institution to preserve alone! At the Reuther Library, we’re honored to be part of a vibrant network of cultural institutions working together to preserve the stories, people, and legacies that make Detroit what it is.

In honor of American Archives Month join us on Wednesday, October 28, from 6–8 PM for Detroit in the Archives: Preserving Stories, Preserving History🎙️📚 Hear from archivists representing beloved institutions like the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Charles H. Wright Museum, and more as they share their hopes, challenges, and wisdom about preserving Detroit’s history.

🕕 6 PM: Enjoy a tour of the Reuther Library and get an up close look at some of the records in our collections!
🎤 7 PM: The panel discussion begins.
📍 RSVP at rsvp.wayne.edu/detroit-in-the-archives

We can’t wait to celebrate American Archives Month, honor Detroit’s rich history, and recognize the people and partnerships that keep its stories alive. See you there!

PreservingHistory

10/09/2026

October is American Archives Month 📚✨🥳
Here at the Reuther Library, our archive is not just a space for preserving important pieces of history. We’re also a space that uses our history to build, organize, and remember community.
Through preserving our collections, hosting events, leading instruction sessions, and providing 1 on 1 research assistance, we recognize the important role archives play in shaping our understanding of the past, making sense of the present, and imagining our future.
Stay tuned as we continue celebrating archives all month long! 🎉 Be sure to thank an archivist, and share what’s your favorite thing about the Reuther Library? 💬

09/23/2026

Honored to host the Union Hall Arts residents for a morning of delving into the archives for artistic inspiration!

08/24/2026

Honored to host these artists in residence from Union Hall Arts, who did a deep dive into the archives to draw artistic inspiration from our collections!

Join us on June 5 at sunset in communities around the nation to hold candlelight vigils honoring everyone who has died as a result of cuts to healthcare.

07/22/2026

One artifact. Thousands of stories.

Out of more than 75,000 boxes of archival materials, Reuther Library staff selected a single object to represent our collections in the Society of American Archivists’ Archives 250 project: the iconic “I AM A MAN” placard from the 1968 AFSCME Local 1733 sanitation workers’ strike.

Chosen for the theme Unfinished Revolutions, this powerful sign remains a symbol of the fight for dignity, civil rights, and workers’ rights.

Explore our contribution and discover more stories from 250 years of U.S. history at tinyurl.com/SAA250.

Want to view more? Search “sanitation workers” in the Reuther Library Digital Collections to see additional images from the 1968 strike.

📷 Slide 1: I AM A MAN placard. (AFSCME Image Collection)
📷 Slide 2: Striking members of Memphis Local 1733 hold signs that became the defining symbol of the 1968 campaign. (AFSCME Image Collection)

07/07/2026

Walter Reuther was instrumental in organizing the strike against General Motors, demanding the right to unionize, better wages, and safe working conditions.

07/01/2026

Excited to show off the amazing collections from the UAW and our other donor unions here at the Reuther Library to demonstrate how Detroit's labor community contributed to American history.

Walter Reuther was president of the United Auto Workers from 1946 until he died in a plane crash in 1970. For him, the UAW was a movement and an instrument for social change.

07/01/2026

06/12/2026

Calling all gothic scholars, and curious wanderers! 🦇

The Reuther Library is excited to welcome attendees of the 2026 Gothic Practice Symposium on June 17 for our spooky behind the scenes tour! Join us as we uncover eerie stories, fascinating artifacts, and gothic treasures preserved by the WSU Special Collections team.

Learn more about the Symposium here: https://gothicpractice2026.wordpress.com

Hope to see you lurking in the stacks! 📚🖤

06/11/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Reuther Library will be closed on Thursday, June 11th.

Our archivists are still available to assist remotely via our [email protected] email.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding!