Neighborhood History + Archives

History of Woodbridge Housing | StoryMap

Woodbridge Neighborhood Development worked with Woodbridge neighbor Mark Jones, a GIS specialist and history buff, to visually document the historic transformation of the built environment of the Woodbridge neighborhood from the arrival of French settlers to the present day.

The purpose of the resulting StoryMap is to provide a reference point for an area experiencing new development. By understanding the neighborhood's past, we as a community can better plan for its future. We acknowledge that the history of the built environment does not tell the whole story of the neighborhood but is an integral part of it. The information in the StoryMap is based on publicly available historical and reference materials, as well as the perspectives of the individuals involved in creating the document. Woodbridge Neighborhood Development welcomes suggestions for content corrections, additions, deletions, and general comments that will improve the accuracy or usability of this tool.

We invite you to scroll through the StoryMap and click on the maps and archival material included within.

Woodbridge Neighborhood Life | Digital and Original Materials Archive

Woodbridge Neighborhood Development holds an extensive collection of print materials documenting the history of community engagement and resident life in Woodbridge—including organizing documents from the original Woodbridge Citizens’ District Council and Historical Society; meeting notes from opposition to urban renewal efforts and university expansion; applications for local and state historic designation; historic home rehabilitation guides and home tour programs; original home blueprints; and more!

Click here to explore the Woodbridge Digital Archive on Omeka.net. All materials are available to view in-person by appointment at the Woodbridge Resource Lab (1776 W. Warren Ave., Detroit) and have also been scanned for electronic share. If you’d like to look at specific materials— or have materials you’re willing to add to the archive— please contact us.

Special thanks to the Detroit Historical Society for scanning and organizing materials and to Briana Kemmerling for creating the digital archive. Briana and her colleagues Leopoldo Solis Martinez, Skyler Leslie, and Irma Maribel Guzman— all University of Michigan students pursuing Graduate Student Certificates in Museum Studies— provided additional critical assistance including researching best practices, resolving technical issues, and making the archive publicly accessible as part of their Winter 2024 Capstone Project. The students were mentored by Richard Bachmann (University of Michigan) and Tracy Irwin (Detroit Historical Society). WND is grateful for their support and guidance in bringing this complex and important project to life!

Voices from our Neighbors | Woodbridge Oral History Archive (WOHA) Project

COMING SOON, May 2025…… Interviews with longtime Woodbridge neighbors captured through an oral history recording project. These recordings are currently being edited for length and connected to the events outlined in the StoryMap.

The Woodbridge Oral History Archive is supported by a Public Scholarship Grant from the University of Michigan. To date, 30 current and former residents of the neighborhood have been interviewed with more to come!