What the Leather Archives & Museum Collects

A finding aid is a document containing detailed information about a specific collection of papers or records within an archive. They are used by researchers to determine whether information within a collection is relevant to their research. The finding aid for a collection is usually compiled by an archivist or librarian during archival processing.

This collection consists of erotic original artwork and prints. The works are stored in flat files in the archives of the LA&M. The list represents a sample of the artists in our permanent collection.

Audio tapes, electronic recordings, CD's, and other miscellaneous media makes up this collection.

The Teri Rose Memorial Library houses over 5,000 books and 20,000 magazines. Here you can search our catalog and find other library resources. You can also request research assistance or suggest a book for our library.

Leathers and boots which hold historical significance are archived at the LA&M. The collection consists mostly of vests (filled with run pins and patches) and WWII leathers. The leathers are stored in our climate controlled archival storage room.

Pins, Patches, Title Holder Sashes, Posters, Shirts & Fibers and Vertical File Collections are all massive collections housed at the Leather Archives & Museum. Some collections are on perminant exhibit while others are housed in our climate controlled archival storage room.

The Oral History project involves the taping, transcribing, indexing and filing of interviews with long time participants or important individuals in the leather community. The transcribed histories form one of the most important information sources in the LA&M's developing collections. Identifying oral history subjects, arranging the interviews, typing them out and indexing them is an area where volunteers are always needed. Joe Gallagher is currently working on an Oral History video project with members of the Satyrs and Oedipus clubs in California. Many other projects must be undertaken soon if we are not to lose the firsthand stories of the beginning of the leather world as we know it.

Photographic prints (as art) are stored in flat files in the archives room. Photography taken to document events, people or places are stored in binders on shelving in the archives room or electronic format.

A relatively small collection; this collection archives rare toys and devices, or those with historical significance. Many of these items are stored on the shelving in the archives room. Others are on display in the Dungeon exhibit.

Archival Audio, Video and Film - Unpublished video and film is housed in this collection. “Homemade” documentation of people, places or events is preserved on audio tapes, video tapes and 16mm film. All published video is cataloged under the reference collection.

The WLHP is a multi-year project. Donations to the WLHP will only be used for program items related to the collection and exhibition of women’s leather history at the LA&M. Your donations will fund the hiring of a professional curator, the creation of museum exhibits at the LA&M, and the acquisition and storage of women’s leather resources.