The collection contains photographs of Wayne County, Michigan. Included are numerous urban scenes and images of everyday life, primarily in the Metropolitan Detroit area between 1860 and the mid-20th century. The bulk of the photographs were taken between 1890 and 1930. A very wide range of topics is represented, among them commercial and residential architecture, urban infrastructure, public and private spaces, civic and domestic activities, individual and group portraits, and events from across the social spectrum.