Vesey Lane Goods serves as the recording site for the Villages Legacy Project and as a living archive grounded in storytelling, memory, and material culture.

Our space itself is rooted in the preservation of the Vesey family legacy — held not only in name, but in the stories embodied within the space and in the goods that line our shelves. Each object reflects a commitment to memory, lineage, and continuity. At the same time, Vesey Lane Goods has become a place where people gather, share, and reflect— where stories are exchanged, and connections are formed across generations.

The Villages Legacy Project is an extension of this ongoing work.

It was developed in response to the stories being shared within our space, and to the understanding that these narratives deserve to be intentionally documented and preserved. While interviews are recorded at Vesey Lane Goods, the project itself reaches far beyond its walls—centering the voices and lived experiences of Black residents, Black business owners, and those closely connected to the Black community throughout East Village and the Villages on Detroit’s east side.

If you are interested in participating in The Villages Legacy Project, we invite you to reach out.

To express your interest:

• Email: info@veseylanegoods.com

• Subject Line: The Villages Legacy Project

• In your message, briefly share your connection to East Village or the surrounding Villages

Interviews are conducted at Vesey Lane Goods and scheduled by appointment.