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Leather Archives & Museum

Leather Archives & Museum Leather Archives & Museum (LA&M) is a library, museum and archive located on the North Side of Chicago.

Our mission is to make leather, kink, B**M, and fe**sh accessible through research, preservation, education and community engagement. All s*xual orientations and genders are included, and the scope is worldwide! The library houses twelve thousand books and fourteen thousand magazines, plus scholarly publications, films and electronic resources. As for the museum collection, it's full of original e

rotic art and artifacts from alternative s*x organizations and individuals. The archives (viewable by appointment) contain unpublished papers and records from notable B**M activists, artists, businesses and organizations.

Operating as usual

Are you ready for Santa?
11/28/2022

Are you ready for Santa?

11/18/2022

We are a Ruth Arts grantee! Today, the Ruth Foundation for the Arts announces 140 arts organizations have been recognized by two new grants inspired by how artists live, make, and are remembered. We are honored to be among the Fall 2022 recipients. Thank you Ruth Foundation for the Arts !

These funds will help LA&M expand its arts programming to connect people with historic and contemporary kink art and artists from around the world.

Supported by the late Ruth DeYoung Kohler II, Ruth Arts launched earlier this year with a unique nomination process guided by 50+ artists, providing funding to nonprofit arts organizations nationwide.

Join us today at 3pm for our next Kink Klass, Flogging 201. This class will focus on the Florentine technique of floggin...
11/13/2022

Join us today at 3pm for our next Kink Klass, Flogging 201. This class will focus on the Florentine technique of flogging. Everyone ages 18 and over is welcome!

11/09/2022

Update: apparently official word has gone out to confirm that the event tonight will not take place. I have not seen it so do not know any details. - Gary

Friends, it seems likely that tonight’s community forum is not going to happen due to a medical emergency. (Note that this isn’t an official post declaring that, but just an acknowledgement of all of the posts being made thus far.) If something official is posted we will share it here as well.

Hi all. As many of you know, there is a community meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 7pm to confront the racist actio...
11/08/2022

Hi all. As many of you know, there is a community meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 7pm to confront the racist actions that happened at Touche last week. I want to be clear that LA&M is not in any way doing this in partnership with Touche. We were asked if our space is available. Community members deserve this opportunity to speak up and share their thoughts and we are happy to have space where this can happen. Apart from that, this is not our meeting, and I know nothing more than what everyone else knows about length, structure, logistics, etc.

I did reach out to ONYX Midwest to ask how we could be most helpful, and I have agreed to livestream the meeting so that others who are unable to be here can join. I will post the information about connecting to the event on the LA&M page on Wednesday afternoon. Please note that we also want people attending to feel comfortable speaking up. Thus in streaming it I will keep the camera focused on the stage at all times, so that audience members are not being filmed. If you are speaking, your voice will be heard in the stream, but you will not be seen and will not be identified unless you choose to do so.

Finally, it is important for you to know that there will likely be media attending the event as well. We will not allow them to film or record in the meeting, but you should at least be aware that they are in the room.

If there are other ways we can make you feel more comfortable being a part of this, please let me know.

(Adding an image just to help this post be seen)

Many thanks to ONYX Midwest for articulating a well thought out response to the recent racist actions at Touche. Join th...
11/08/2022
Our Response to Touche’s 45th Anniversary

Many thanks to ONYX Midwest for articulating a well thought out response to the recent racist actions at Touche. Join the community discussion on Wednesday at 7pm at LA&M.

ONYX Midwest would like to address what happened at Touche’s 45th Anniversary Party on 11/1/2022. Before doing so we would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all that have chosen to support our mission and to speak out on our behalf. We want you to know that your support was seen and felt ...

Congratulations to our new Mr. International Rubber, Pusckatt Pumera Onyx!
11/06/2022

Congratulations to our new Mr. International Rubber, Pusckatt Pumera Onyx!

MIR26 begins today! There is still time to join in on the events. Check them out at Mr. International Rubber for details...
11/03/2022

MIR26 begins today! There is still time to join in on the events. Check them out at Mr. International Rubber for details on registration, and a schedule of events. We hope to see you there!

Don’t forget Sunday night’s Halloween Party! 6-10pm. Wear a costume if you like. Everyone over 18 is welcome!
10/28/2022

Don’t forget Sunday night’s Halloween Party! 6-10pm. Wear a costume if you like. Everyone over 18 is welcome!

10/23/2022
Tonight’s the night! 7pm…..bourbon, treats and the opening of our newest exhibit curated by  Anderson.
10/22/2022

Tonight’s the night! 7pm…..bourbon, treats and the opening of our newest exhibit curated by Anderson.

Join us Saturday night from 7-9pm for the opening of our newest exhibit, The Eagle & Long Live Leather, curated by Lesli...
10/19/2022

Join us Saturday night from 7-9pm for the opening of our newest exhibit, The Eagle & Long Live Leather, curated by Leslie Anderson. Admission is free and open to every over 18. We will have drinks (courtesy of 2Bears Tavern Group) and ci**rs. BYO cigar, or purchase one from us!

Today is the day! Join us at 3pm Sunday October 16th for the Chicago premier of this award-winning documentary. Get here...
10/16/2022

Today is the day! Join us at 3pm Sunday October 16th for the Chicago premier of this award-winning documentary. Get here early to get your tickets and a seat. The directors will be here as well, and will discuss the filmi following the screening.

10/06/2022
Leather Archives & Museum

Leather Archives & Museum

Leather Archives & Museum (LA&M) is a library, museum and archive located on the North Side of Chicago. Our mission is to make leather, kink, B**M, and fe**sh accessible through research, preservation, education and community engagement.

Saturday, August 13th…..get that car washed and have a filthy time doing it!
08/03/2022

Saturday, August 13th…..get that car washed and have a filthy time doing it!

A big thank you to the ladies of Elegant Fur for a fantastic evening of bearded drag, and for raising funds for LA&M! Be...
07/31/2022

A big thank you to the ladies of Elegant Fur for a fantastic evening of bearded drag, and for raising funds for LA&M! Be sure to catch their next show at Call Bar in November 5th!

After 37 years, The Backstreet is no more. The iconic leather bar was the last of its kind in London. Anyone care to sha...
07/20/2022

After 37 years, The Backstreet is no more. The iconic leather bar was the last of its kind in London. Anyone care to share a Backstreet memory below?

A nice collection of photos in the Chicago Tribune this week. Story to follow. A nice glimpse of some of the leather col...
07/18/2022
The Leather Archives and Museum preserves leather and kink subculture

A nice collection of photos in the Chicago Tribune this week. Story to follow. A nice glimpse of some of the leather collections that are preserved here.

The Leather Archives and Museum on Chicago's North Side maintains and preserves materials relating to the history and development of the leather and kink subculture.

LAM is thrilled to announce that we are amongst the first grantees of the newly launched Ruth Foundation for the Arts ()...
06/30/2022

LAM is thrilled to announce that we are amongst the first grantees of the newly launched Ruth Foundation for the Arts () – a new grantmaker dedicated to meeting the evolving needs and lived experiences of artists, communities, and arts organizations. Funding for arts organizations - especially those that collect and share works by marginalized artists - is critical to the preservation of our history. Read more about the Ruth Foundation for the Arts and their generous support for art organizations here: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/29/arts/design/ruth-foundation-for-the-arts.html

5 years gone from the physical world, but still with us in every way. Chuck Renslow left behind a legacy that includes I...
06/29/2022

5 years gone from the physical world, but still with us in every way. Chuck Renslow left behind a legacy that includes International Mr. Leather, the Leather Archives & Museum, and most importantly thousands of family and friends who continue the great work and wisdom he inspired.

This Sunday at 1:30pm.
05/16/2022

This Sunday at 1:30pm.

Thanks to our friends at JimSupport for their generous support of our IML Sling Raffle. Look for us at the vendor mart I...
05/14/2022

Thanks to our friends at JimSupport for their generous support of our IML Sling Raffle. Look for us at the vendor mart IML weekend and enter to win your own portable sling! JimSupport.com

Shopleatherarchives.com and save 30% off all clearance items. Use coupon code springsale
05/04/2022

Shopleatherarchives.com and save 30% off all clearance items. Use coupon code springsale

Congratulations to our newest Mr. Chicago Leather, George. Wishing you a great title year as you fill the big boots left...
04/13/2022

Congratulations to our newest Mr. Chicago Leather, George. Wishing you a great title year as you fill the big boots left by Butch Romero (thanks to Gary Lee for the great photo!)

A huge thank you goes out to one of our favorite events, Sash Bash. Each year Papabear Rob Anderson creates a fun, educa...
04/03/2022

A huge thank you goes out to one of our favorite events, Sash Bash. Each year Papabear Rob Anderson creates a fun, educational, and s*xy weekend in Iowa City to raise funds for LAM. This year, the event raised $3500 to help us continue our work to preserve Leather and kink history! Many thanks to Rob and to everyone who attended. It was a lot of fun, and the donation is incredible. Thank you Rob Anderson !

Free admission today from 4-7pm. Come see our newest exhibit!
02/13/2022

Free admission today from 4-7pm. Come see our newest exhibit!

Join us Sunday, 4-7pm!
02/12/2022

Join us Sunday, 4-7pm!

The  hours from Dec 23 to Jan 1. Come by today to pick up your Christmas merch:Thu 12/23, 11am-7pmFri-Sun 12/24-12/29, C...
12/23/2021

The hours from Dec 23 to Jan 1. Come by today to pick up your Christmas merch:

Thu 12/23, 11am-7pm
Fri-Sun 12/24-12/29, CLOSED
Thu 12/30, 11am-7pm
Fri 12/31, 11am-5pm
Sat 1/1, CLOSED
Sun 1/2, 1pm-5pm

12/10/2021
12/09/2021
Quote from Dry Bones Breathe: Gay Men Creating Post-AIDS Identities and Cultures by Eric Rofes (1998). Photo by Zeus fro...
11/08/2021

Quote from Dry Bones Breathe: Gay Men Creating Post-AIDS Identities and Cultures by Eric Rofes (1998). Photo by Zeus from Honcho Jul 1981. *xlib

[Among the most effective ways of oppressing a people is through the colonization of their bodies, the stigmatizing of their desires, and the repression of their erotic energies. Continuing work on s*xual liberation is crucial to social justice efforts.]

Happy 44th anniversary to ! Touché opened in 1976 on 2825 N. Lincoln (pictured after the 1990 fire) and has been a leath...
11/07/2021

Happy 44th anniversary to ! Touché opened in 1976 on 2825 N. Lincoln (pictured after the 1990 fire) and has been a leather bar since 1977. Touché is now located on 6412 N. Clark St, just one block from the .

Congratulations to first runner up Jakob Rex, and the new Mister International Rubber 25 Joe Chicago Rubber! Mister Inte...
11/07/2021

Congratulations to first runner up Jakob Rex, and the new Mister International Rubber 25 Joe Chicago Rubber! Mister International Rubber

Celebrating Mistress Velvet & Black Domme Tradition: Exhibit Opening and Memorial Celebration 💜💜💜Sunday November 7th 3pm...
11/06/2021

Celebrating Mistress Velvet & Black Domme Tradition: Exhibit Opening and Memorial Celebration 💜💜💜

Sunday November 7th
3pm-6pm at the Leather Archives & Museum

RSVP with

Happy MIR25!! Mr. International Rubber weekend is happening here in Chicago, right now. Visit mirubber.com for details. ...
11/05/2021

Happy MIR25!! Mr. International Rubber weekend is happening here in Chicago, right now. Visit mirubber.com for details.

Personal ad and photo from Stiletto No 9 (1988) from the magazine collections.

Quote from Caretaking in So Many Ways: A Conversation with Mistress Velvet, interview by Kirin Wachter-Grene in The Blac...
11/05/2021

Quote from Caretaking in So Many Ways: A Conversation with Mistress Velvet, interview by Kirin Wachter-Grene in The Black Scholar Vol 50 No 2 (Summer 2020).

This Sunday, 3pm-6pm on November 7th, Heaux History is hosting an exhibit and memorial celebrating the life and work of Mistress Velvet at the . The celebration will also be streamed live on IG. RSVP with Heaux History on Instagram.

[Some of the most beautiful, safest spaces I encounter are in My B**M practice. Some of the most beautiful relationships I have are with My clients. I enter a bubble for an hour or two with my clients. We have mutual trust, respect, and are defining our boundaries together. Then I put on My street clothes, leave the dungeon, and enter the harsh world.]

Address

6418 N Greenview Avenue
Chicago, IL
60626

Directions to the LA&M The Leather Archives & Museum is located at 6418 N. Greenview Ave. Just 2 doors north of the corner of Devon Ave. & Greenview Ave. We are nextdoor to the Citgo gas station @ Devon and Greenview. The closest major intersection is Clark St. & Devon Ave. Greenview is 2 blocks east of Clark St. Via Public Transportation CTA Bus #s 36-Broadway, 151-Sheridan and 155-Devon stop at the corner of Devon and Greenview. CTA Red Line – Loyola street stop. About a 10 minute walk to the LA&M, or board the #155-Devon bus westbound at the Loyola stop. Walking : Out of the El station, walk south (under the L tracks) on Sheridan Road. At the second stoplight, Devon Ave., turn right. Walk about 6 blocks to Greenview Ave. Turn right at the corner of Devon and Greenview. Via Car From the loop or boystown : Get onto Lake Shore Drive northbound. Take Lake Shore Drive until it ends at Sheridan Rd. Turn right onto Sheridan, so you'll be heading north. Sheridan will curve to the left. Stay in the left lane, as Sheridan Road becomes Devon Ave. Continue west for 6 blocks to Greenview Ave. Parking is available on the street. From the north or west : Take I-294 or I-94 to Touhy Ave. Take Touhy Ave. east to Western Avenue. Go right on Western to Devon Ave. Go left on Devon Ave. to Greenview Ave. Turn left on Greenview Ave. Parking is available on the street.

General information

The 10,000 sq. foot, two-story building holds eight exhibition galleries; a climate controlled archival storage space; a 164-seat auditorium; the G.A.G. Contemporary Fe**sh Gallery, with rotating exhibits by renowned and emerging fe**sh artists from around the world; and a 600 sq. foot reading library to store the research collections.

Opening Hours

Thursday 11am - 7pm
Friday 11am - 7pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

(773) 761-9200

Alerts

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Contact The Museum

Send a message to Leather Archives & Museum:

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Comments

It's Giving Tuesday.....go ahead, we can take it! Load us up.
https://bit.ly/3FHOQLK
Or, Venmo
Are you ready for Santa?
We are a Ruth Arts grantee! Today, the Ruth Foundation for the Arts announces 140 arts organizations have been recognized by two new grants inspired by how artists live, make, and are remembered. We are honored to be among the Fall 2022 recipients. Thank you Ruth Foundation for the Arts !

These funds will help LA&M expand its arts programming to connect people with historic and contemporary kink art and artists from around the world.

Supported by the late Ruth DeYoung Kohler II, Ruth Arts launched earlier this year with a unique nomination process guided by 50+ artists, providing funding to nonprofit arts organizations nationwide.
Join us today at 3pm for our next Kink Klass, Flogging 201. This class will focus on the Florentine technique of flogging. Everyone ages 18 and over is welcome!
Update: apparently official word has gone out to confirm that the event tonight will not take place. I have not seen it so do not know any details. - Gary

Friends, it seems likely that tonight’s community forum is not going to happen due to a medical emergency. (Note that this isn’t an official post declaring that, but just an acknowledgement of all of the posts being made thus far.) If something official is posted we will share it here as well.
Hi all. As many of you know, there is a community meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 7pm to confront the racist actions that happened at Touche last week. I want to be clear that LA&M is not in any way doing this in partnership with Touche. We were asked if our space is available. Community members deserve this opportunity to speak up and share their thoughts and we are happy to have space where this can happen. Apart from that, this is not our meeting, and I know nothing more than what everyone else knows about length, structure, logistics, etc.

I did reach out to ONYX Midwest to ask how we could be most helpful, and I have agreed to livestream the meeting so that others who are unable to be here can join. I will post the information about connecting to the event on the LA&M page on Wednesday afternoon. Please note that we also want people attending to feel comfortable speaking up. Thus in streaming it I will keep the camera focused on the stage at all times, so that audience members are not being filmed. If you are speaking, your voice will be heard in the stream, but you will not be seen and will not be identified unless you choose to do so.

Finally, it is important for you to know that there will likely be media attending the event as well. We will not allow them to film or record in the meeting, but you should at least be aware that they are in the room.

If there are other ways we can make you feel more comfortable being a part of this, please let me know.

(Adding an image just to help this post be seen)
Many thanks to ONYX Midwest for articulating a well thought out response to the recent racist actions at Touche. Join the community discussion on Wednesday at 7pm at LA&M.
Congratulations to our new Mr. International Rubber, Pusckatt Pumera Onyx!
MIR26 begins today! There is still time to join in on the events. Check them out at Mr. International Rubber for details on registration, and a schedule of events. We hope to see you there!
Don’t forget Sunday night’s Halloween Party! 6-10pm. Wear a costume if you like. Everyone over 18 is welcome!
Tonight’s the night! 7pm…..bourbon, treats and the opening of our newest exhibit curated by Anderson.
Join us Saturday night from 7-9pm for the opening of our newest exhibit, The Eagle & Long Live Leather, curated by Leslie Anderson. Admission is free and open to every over 18. We will have drinks (courtesy of 2Bears Tavern Group) and ci**rs. BYO cigar, or purchase one from us!
Today is the day! Join us at 3pm Sunday October 16th for the Chicago premier of this award-winning documentary. Get here early to get your tickets and a seat. The directors will be here as well, and will discuss the filmi following the screening.
Saturday, August 13th…..get that car washed and have a filthy time doing it!
x

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