ANN ARBOR—Before the Big House and the Bell Tower, the University of Michigan was the “University of Michigania” and was defined by 1,920 acres of land located in Detroit. Established in 1817 through land ceded by the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi people, the U-M did not relocate to Ann Arbor until 1837.

In commemoration of U-M’s Detroit origins and in celebration of Detroit’s 300th anniversary, U-M President Lee C. Bollinger, on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m., will unveil a Michigan State Historical Plaque in downtown Detroit near the original site of the University.

Jim Kosteva, U-M’s director of community relations, says that the plaque will be mounted on the wall of a parking structure adjacent to the Comerica Tower, near the intersection of Bates and Congress. The original U-M building was dismantled in 1858, according to Kosteva, and the parking structure, which is approximately 100 feet from the original site, is the closest physical facility and alternative location.

Placement of the plaque within the parking structure will be near a pedestrian walkway, which connects the parking structure to Comerica Tower. In placing the plaque in an area where many Detroiters pass each day, Kosteva is optimistic that the easy visibility will provide increased recognition. “We can hopefully gain a considerable amount of public recognition and appreciation for the origins of the U-M and Detroit’s history.”

Made possible through the efforts of U-M’s Office of Government Relations, the decision to mount a plaque was inspired by Detroit’s 300th anniversary celebration and the realization that there is no existing designation commemorating the University’s original site.

“Creating a plaque is a way of letting our partners in Detroit know that, in a small way, we’re helping Detroit celebrate its 300th anniversary,” says Kosteva. “We are proud that we’re able to have a continuing relationship with organizations and institutions throughout the city.”

The event is free and open to the public.