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You said: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban AffairsWalter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
The [Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESUgHrOzAVUHhvSPOSM-_OBxpF-zPiUrznqhUxp2OlbzV-iFb5Vu13XinO9UUnLQXZUn3d5-236YuqBioc0mC_FfEQaf209NOqLf4PBeSNJDPzGw8) is the largest labor archive in North America, located on the campus of Wayne State University at 5401 Cass Ave in Detroit, Michigan. [[1](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESUgHrOzAVUHhvSPOSM-_OBxpF-zPiUrznqhUxp2OlbzV-iFb5Vu13XinO9UUnLQXZUn3d5-236YuqBioc0mC_FfEQaf209NOqLf4PBeSNJDPzGw8), [2](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESYQHrOzAV199EnaJW679_YNHmOsHF28TWeSyHw03zSr1LQgGumwqUwsPTjxS9T9kPkr0rzvQFnyVcA0nrMmrpeeTiztYChBM_mJtTl4DnWlDU0hjbf0kvvsQZBhoJ2N7poQc), [3](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESWwHrOzAVJtfcCrTZRKt4CtFBfaruGk7RQELSDl6lEtGWUpC0ybsU1CnLsu8uIhnD0K2jQBfluDIM5GSCh9nPISbKhzWmZKdmxToEPDtRnfb_mrdayRKlzvfJT2o)]
Established in 1960 as the Labor History Archives and housed in its dedicated building since 1975 (with the Leonard Woodcock Wing added in 1991), the library preserves millions of primary documents chronicling the American labor movement, urban and community life in Detroit, and the official history of Wayne State University. [[1](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESXQHrOzAVPG4QPlcQzRCJLgd4hBAPY1ceN8d3LwVbOzPAFwEYQq2xxICf1JaRC4B8JmWdgKWEW-3cGq0-a3HygY9A08qrc2oJqXG0vYYmTqaAKDTy6PYbGKUypvi5vQ), [2](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESbwHrOzAVM8qz4FXuh_lyYTdPgRC4z5pe_rrTHVE-jVQvip4hNaa1p7B8JbD1S8HgHCFITONuKjfgBhS6-bsV6SiXT-ju5uimWDpCQyV6idXqdIkm9FNkTgFrN6ZaxVm5Wab9wHbT6RKZiOQAJyc7Qg), [3](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESYQHrOzAV199EnaJW679_YNHmOsHF28TWeSyHw03zSr1LQgGumwqUwsPTjxS9T9kPkr0rzvQFnyVcA0nrMmrpeeTiztYChBM_mJtTl4DnWlDU0hjbf0kvvsQZBhoJ2N7poQc)]
Core Collection Areas

* Labor Collections: Serves as the official repository for major labor unions and organizations, including the United Automobile Workers (UAW), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and United Farm Workers (UFW). Holdings exceed 75,000 linear feet of records, oral histories, and personal papers of labor leaders. [[1](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESbQHrOzAVpvS7JuWfeCBGZUtKSlHBoSSl-kAnJURljC3FqlylmxlD7bpbCwi2lnEKUbiW2FB13JFmE4MqEXFsSFWpZIRIQQax3jmpjBl2oQ4FepMRD-kWd2MZO3Imp9OWw37SJAZ251sZiKPVDOw), [2](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESbwHrOzAVM8qz4FXuh_lyYTdPgRC4z5pe_rrTHVE-jVQvip4hNaa1p7B8JbD1S8HgHCFITONuKjfgBhS6-bsV6SiXT-ju5uimWDpCQyV6idXqdIkm9FNkTgFrN6ZaxVm5Wab9wHbT6RKZiOQAJyc7Qg)]
* Urban Affairs Collections: Documents Detroit community history, local ethnic and social movements, the civil rights movement, women's workplace struggles, and records from Detroit-based civic organizations and leaders. [[1](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESmgEB6zswFaKKQ0_rXpkCroTox3APqVwY8bI9ueZJImAIGFYZ4D8s6AVYlp3-4Nu-EJCF6d3FH0DfGJfKbao5hWV0i7DTOMHKcmWMyOLMYvdC9uXyoZevzx5VKxYaeegaQwuCPXfGmDTgsAlehbHYiumXvGqLyRHLTfsl6P30kSQEYu6NwNVeHPyCF2qwVVCN7IcgRBzObgHUxhaW), [2](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESbwHrOzAVM8qz4FXuh_lyYTdPgRC4z5pe_rrTHVE-jVQvip4hNaa1p7B8JbD1S8HgHCFITONuKjfgBhS6-bsV6SiXT-ju5uimWDpCQyV6idXqdIkm9FNkTgFrN6ZaxVm5Wab9wHbT6RKZiOQAJyc7Qg)]
* University Archives: Preserves official files, records, and historical documents of Wayne State University dating back to its 1868 founding as the Detroit Medical College. [[1](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESmgEB6zswFaKKQ0_rXpkCroTox3APqVwY8bI9ueZJImAIGFYZ4D8s6AVYlp3-4Nu-EJCF6d3FH0DfGJfKbao5hWV0i7DTOMHKcmWMyOLMYvdC9uXyoZevzx5VKxYaeegaQwuCPXfGmDTgsAlehbHYiumXvGqLyRHLTfsl6P30kSQEYu6NwNVeHPyCF2qwVVCN7IcgRBzObgHUxhaW), [2](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESbwHrOzAVM8qz4FXuh_lyYTdPgRC4z5pe_rrTHVE-jVQvip4hNaa1p7B8JbD1S8HgHCFITONuKjfgBhS6-bsV6SiXT-ju5uimWDpCQyV6idXqdIkm9FNkTgFrN6ZaxVm5Wab9wHbT6RKZiOQAJyc7Qg)]

Visiting and Research

* Location: 3rd floor Reading Room, 5401 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48202. [[1](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESXQHrOzAVPG4QPlcQzRCJLgd4hBAPY1ceN8d3LwVbOzPAFwEYQq2xxICf1JaRC4B8JmWdgKWEW-3cGq0-a3HygY9A08qrc2oJqXG0vYYmTqaAKDTy6PYbGKUypvi5vQ)]
* Appointments: Archival materials are unique and non-circulating (they do not circulate or go through Interlibrary Loan). Researchers should schedule a research appointment in advance with Reference Archivist Kristen Chinery. [[1](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESXQHrOzAVPG4QPlcQzRCJLgd4hBAPY1ceN8d3LwVbOzPAFwEYQq2xxICf1JaRC4B8JmWdgKWEW-3cGq0-a3HygY9A08qrc2oJqXG0vYYmTqaAKDTy6PYbGKUypvi5vQ)]
* Search Tools: Collections can be explored online via [archives.wayne.edu](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESUgHrOzAV_bW1UTqxouMhx-UPoOytACt594KTvc78wvhPFoUNyTxThVrneYtv7TRhG3DLkZMioOoxDuRlJ9xIyL6zFNOT1-Z4jdR3UF76Bs1ZOfw) or through the tabbed search features on the [Reuther Library Website](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESUgHrOzAVUHhvSPOSM-_OBxpF-zPiUrznqhUxp2OlbzV-iFb5Vu13XinO9UUnLQXZUn3d5-236YuqBioc0mC_FfEQaf209NOqLf4PBeSNJDPzGw8). [[1](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESUgHrOzAVUHhvSPOSM-_OBxpF-zPiUrznqhUxp2OlbzV-iFb5Vu13XinO9UUnLQXZUn3d5-236YuqBioc0mC_FfEQaf209NOqLf4PBeSNJDPzGw8), [2](https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESXQHrOzAVPG4QPlcQzRCJLgd4hBAPY1ceN8d3LwVbOzPAFwEYQq2xxICf1JaRC4B8JmWdgKWEW-3cGq0-a3HygY9A08qrc2oJqXG0vYYmTqaAKDTy6PYbGKUypvi5vQ)]

If you are planning a research visit or looking for specific records, tell me:

* What topic, union, or collection you are researching
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I can help guide you to the right finding aids or contact details.
Walter P. Reuther Library
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Sep 10, 2026 — Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University — 5401 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48202 ... Reuther Library closed Tuesday, No...
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Aug 11, 2026 — The largest labor archives in North America, the Reuther Library has holdings that document the labor movement throughout the United States with a focus on the ...
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Location: Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan (completed 1975, 4 floors, architect O'Dell Hewlett Luckenbach, Woodcock Wing 1991). History: Established 19...
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The Reuther Library is the largest labor archives in North America and is home to the collections of numerous unions and labor-related organizations. Its collec...
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Discover the stories that shaped Detroit, Michigan and the nation at the Walter P. Reuther Library, home to the largest labor archives in North America! Establi...
