Featured Collections

Some of the materials featured in Hidden Histories come from the California History Section’s periodical and book collections, vertical and textual files, and map collection. Items also come from the following:

Kilgore (Ray N.) collection, approximately 1966-1981

The Ray N. Kilgore Collection of ephemera and periodicals spans the period from approximately 1960-1981 (bulk 1970 to 1979) and provides a fascinating overview of the gay scene at that time, primarily in San Francisco but also, to a far lesser extent, in Southern California, chiefly Los Angeles. The majority of collection materials feature white gay men. A lot of the collection consists of comprehensive runs of periodicals, but the collection also includes ephemera such as fliers, handbills, brochures, city guides, and catalogs.

This collection is currently being processed but is available for research; please email to make an appointment to see collection materials.

Gay posters collection, approximately 1973-1979

This collection of 56 posters and broadsides ranges in subject matter from advertisements for bars and dance clubs to charity events, benefits, festivals, performances, dinners and other gatherings, calendars, and contests, most featuring white gay men. While most of the prints center on San Francisco, several are from Los Angeles, including a poster for The Stud bar on Melrose (undated); a poster for Outcast bar on Santa Monica Blvd (undated); Don’t Give Him Anything But Love, advertising a VD Clinic at the Gay Community Services Center (1973); and a poster for a benefit for Operation Concern, Mr. Circus-Circus, sponsored by Mike’s Corral of Long Beach, listing endorsements from establishments in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Marin, and Tucson. Provenance of this collection is unknown.

This collection is currently being processed but is available for research; please email to make an appointment to see collection materials. 

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