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

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!

04/09/2026

For ten years, Wayne State University Giving Day has brought our community together to spark ideas, fuel breakthroughs, and open doors for students whose curiosity transforms the world around them. Every gift, no matter the size, acts as a catalyst for innovation and expands opportunities across our campus, throughout Detroit, and beyond. We invite you to make a donation to the Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, which is home to the largest labor archive in North America. Your support helps preserve the history of the labor movement, Metro Detroit, and Wayne State University. When we Give Green, we propel Wayne State – our students, faculty, and community – forward. Together, we celebrate Ten Years Strong and are just getting started. Visit the link in our bio or go to go.wayne.edu/givereuther2026 to make a donation.

04/09/2026

For ten years, Wayne State University Giving Day has united our community to inspire ideas, drive breakthroughs, and create opportunities for students whose curiosity shapes the world around them. Every gift, no matter the size, acts as a catalyst for innovation and expands opportunities across our campus, throughout Detroit, and beyond. We invite you to make a donation to the Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, which is home to the largest labor archive in North America. Your support helps preserve the history of the labor movement, Metro Detroit, and Wayne State University. When we Give Green, we propel Wayne State – our students, faculty, and community – forward. Together, we celebrate Ten Years Strong and are just getting started. Visit the link in our bio or go to go.wayne.edu/givereuther2026 to make a donation.

04/06/2026

😍😍

03/30/2026

The Walter P. Reuther Library is proud to announce the 100th episode of its podcast, Tales from the Reuther Library. Hosted and produced by Reuther archivists Dan Golodner and Troy Eller English, each episode features conversations with experts, usually an interview with someone who did extensive archival research at the Reuther Library on a topic. The result has been 100 episodes of informed discussions as unique as our one-of-a-kind archival collections. So far, the podcast has been downloaded over 29,000 times, and listened to in 96 countries.
Tales from the Reuther is available through most major podcast services, including iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Blubrry, as well as the Reuther Library’s website.
Learn more: https://reuther.wayne.edu/node/15454