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Chicago's Archives & Museum
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Compiled By GayToday
The world's first Leather Archives & Museum will have its grand opening in a permanent home February 17-20 on Chicago's Far North Side. You'll be able to see for yourself, perhaps, some of the amazing accoutrements that have been utilized by men and women—from handcuffs to hankies-- in the name of erotica. The 12,500-square-foot facility is in the former home of the Greenview Arts Center, and includes a 164-seat theatre, a museum and gallery, an archives, and museum store. The grand opening weekend will include a sold-out Centurion Awards Program to honor those who have made an impact on the leather community in the 20th Century.
The Leather Archives & Museum was created by internationally known leatherman Chuck Renslow, a Chicago businessman who ran one of Chicago's first leather bars, the Gold Coast, in 1958. Renslow is also the founder and executive director of International Mr. Leather, which brings thousands of visitors to Chicago each Memorial Day Weekend. Renslow is also the owner of Man's Country, Chicago Eagle, and other businesses in the gay community, and has been inducted into the city's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. The Archives is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with a board of directors from around the country. Renslow is president of the board. Anthony DeBlase, Ph.D., a former Chicagoan who created the black-white-blue-and-red flag which is the symbol of the international leather community, is vice president of the board. He lives in Oregon. Other board members are from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, California and New York. Writer, editor and educator Joseph W. Bean is executive director of the archives, and Bill Stadt is assistant to the executive director. The Leather Archives & Museum already has thousands of items, including magazines, newspapers, newsletters, books, photos, letters, videos, minutes from organizations, posters, flyers, brochures, tickets, banners, buttons, patches, sculptures, titleholder sashes, medals and trophies, and oral histories from men and women in the leather community. The down-payment for this first permanent home for the Leather Archives & Museum was raised by donations totaling over $60,000 during the 1999 International Mr. Leather in Chicago. The goal of the museum's capital campaign is to raise $500,000 in five years for the purchase and renovations costs of the building. Twenty-seven percent of that money has already been raised. The Leather Archives were first incorporated in 1991, and was most recently located in 2,400 square feet on North Clark Street. "This building purchase has been achieved 100% by leather men and women, with no funding or support from any government body or foundation," said Renslow. The Grand Opening weekend is attracting leathermen and women, gay, straight and bisexual, from all over the country. Current and former titleholders from a wide variety of leather contests are expected to attend, as well as a representative from the Tom of Finland Foundation. There will be shuttles to and from the various weekend events, including the Mr. Cell Block contest, which is part of that bar's Leatherfest Weekend Centurion Awards honorees are: Chuck Renslow as Man of the Century, Cynthia Slater as Woman of the Century. Other honorees: Pat Daley, Larry Townsend, Geoff Mains, Mack McKinnon, Pat Califia, The Eulenspiegel Society, Satyrs Motorcycle Club, GMSMA, Chicago Hellfire Club, Tom of Finland and Tony DeBlase. Grand Opening Schedule and Program Leather Archives & Museum 6418 N. Greenview, Chicago, (773) 761-9200 Thursday, February 17 6 p.m.: Opening of LA&M Building, Ribbon-Cutting and Reception provided by Chicago Eagle. Friday, February 18 4-8 p.m.: Exhibits open at LA&M 9-?: Leatherfest Welcome, Cell Block bar 3702 N. Halsted Saturday, February19 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Leatherfest Brunch at Buddies, 3301 N. Clark 11 a.m.-10 p.m.: Exhibits open at LA&M After 2 p.m.: Leather Swap Meet, Cell Block 9 p.m.-??: Mr. Cellblock Contest Sunday, February 20 Noon-6 p.m.: Exhibits open at LA&M 2-4 p.m.: Centurion Awards After show: Wine & Cheese Reception Monday, Feb. 21 Noon-8 p.m.: Exhibits Open at LA&M After February 21 and through April, exhibits hours available by appointment |
Internationaly-known leatherman and Chicago businessman Chuck Renslow is the founder of the Leather Archives & Museum
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