Missouri's LGBT History Projects Unite in KC
April 23, 2014: Like most parts of the United States, Missouri has long been home to a thriving—if largely hidden—LGBT population. Yet, it has been only recently that formal attempts have been made to capture and preserve that history.
Efforts in Missouri's three largest cities—St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield—have yielded not only a wide-ranging trove of remarkable historic value but also distinct approaches to building these archival collections.
At the Midwest Archives Conference to be held in Kansas City, MO April 24-26, representatives from each repository will discuss their techniques for reaching these communities, what they’ve been able to collect, and how they make it available to their users. From arrests of pre-twentieth-century female impersonators to Hollywood film stars speaking out against hate to magazines published by rural lesbian separatists, these collections run the gamut of Missouri’s LGBT history and are as varied as the state in which they were created.
Perhaps most importantly, these materials meaningfully enhance and purposefully augment the long-standing coastal orientation of American LGBT history.
Magnolia's Donations
April 13, 2014: Magnolia'a Bar served its last drink and played its last dance tune on April 4. Mag's opened in 1985 and was a popular LGBT nightclub. Special thanks to owner John Knowles for allowing the Project to help preserve the bar's history. John donated bar posters, artwork, trophies, menus, disco balls, drag queen dresses, and other artifacts that will keep Mag's memory alive. The building the bar was housed in has been sold and will be renovated into retail and apartments. Thanks for the memories.
March 11, 2014 Presentation at Missouri History Museum
March 2014: Join the Project at a special panel discussion being held at the Missouri History Musuem. Learn about the Project's new partnership with the Museum, and the Museum's new LGBTQ collecting initiative.
New Voices, New Exhibits Panel Discussion
Tuesday, March 11, 2014, 7 pm
Missouri History Museum, Forest Park
PHD Gallery Exhibit Closes March 2 With Special Event
February 2014: The Project's groundbreaking exhibit at PHD Gallery will end on Sunday, March 2 with a special closing event.
A History of Queer: Selections from the St. Louis LGBT History Project
Closing Event Details:
Sunday, March 2, 2014
1-3 pm
PHD Gallery, 2300 Cherokee St.
Featuring:
-Presentation by Project Founder Steven L. Brawley
-Adult beverages and hors d'oeuvres
-Performance by Eva Destruction (Larry Schummer)
-Raffle to win a commemorative color print of St. Louis' first Pride (1980) by Jim Pfaff
Exhibit Open Through March 2:
Don't miss this opportunity to see these rare artifacts before they are formally donated to the Missouri History Museum. The exhibit will be open through March 2 from Thursdays to Sundays, from Noon to 4 pm. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.