Processing Randy Wicker & Marsha P. Johnson’s papers at the LGBT Community Center National History Archive in New York City, 2023.
Archive Services
Have a closet full of history or a story to tell? Over the past 7 years, my little queer history podcast has led me to discover that I have a knack for preserving history. I’d love to help you!
As a researcher for my own projects, I’ve developed relationships with some of the largest LGBTQ+ archives in the country, including the ONE Archives at USC Libraries, the Gerber/Hart Library & Archives in Chicago, and the NYC Community Center’s National History Archives, among others. There are several repositories for historic queer ephemera, and I can find the perfect home for your materials.
Okay, so you’re not a famous activist, artist, or Stonewall brick-thrower? Good. Your “ordinary” story is also missing from the archives, and it is equally important, so you & I are gonna preserve it.
If you’d like, you can see more of my resumé as an activist, journalist, and interviewer by clicking here, and check out press about my work here. Skim through my serialized LGBTQ+ history podcast episode guide here!
Thank you so much for your interest! Read on to learn more about the process of archiving your materials & stories.
Processing items in Rumi Missabu’s collection at his home in the Bay Area, 2022.
the process
How to begin? Get in touch with me! Everyone’s process looks different. We’ll see what materials you’ve got, where they should go, and how they should be organized. (Your location is irrelevant! I can travel and help from afar.)
If you simply have stories to record and no physical materials (or both!) then we will schedule a time to chat and a place for your audio stories to be archived.
the cost
A price can’t be put on history. All I ask is that my time & expenses are covered so I can preserve your materials properly and keep the lights on here at Mattachine Productions LLC.
If you have an apartment absolutely packed with a years-long project (like some of my work below) then we’ll work out an arrangement that looks much different from a simple small box of polaroids you might have under your bed. No matter the size of your collection, it deserves preservation, and I’m thrilled to help.
Processing Marsha P. Johnson’s papers at the LGBT Community Center National History Archive in New York City, 2023.
some examples of my work
It has been my honor to help longtime activist Randy Wicker over the past 2 years in preserving his 50-year home full of historic materials related to his many campaigns for justice, as well as materials left behind by his longtime roommate and transgender icon Marsha P. Johnson. (See more about these projects by clicking their names.)
I have also assisted genderfuck drag artist and Cockette performer Rumi Missabu with his collection, which we went on to display in an exhibit at the BGSQD bookshop.
As recently heard on my podcast, I preserve oral histories too! On the fourth season, listeners heard the stories of participants at the 1979 gay White Night Riots, in addition to the podcast releasing previously unheard recordings of Harvey Milk and discussions with his replacement Supervisor Harry Britt.
I’ve also preserved oral histories of queer folks in my hometown of Evansville, Indiana, as well as archiving my own family’s massive photo collection. See some below!
Watch my interview with creator of TV’s Transparent Joey Soloway.
Listen to my oral history of participants in one of the most famous gay riots, 1979’s White Night Riots in San Francisco.
Some photos I’ve preserved from my family’s massive collection. I'd love to help you preserve your family’s history, too. (Queer family counts!)
