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GLBT Historical Society
Rating Details »
Categories: Local Flavor, Museums [Edit]
Neighborhood: Castro499 Castro St
(between 17th St & 18th St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 621-1107
- Hours:
Mon-Sat. 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
7 reviews for GLBT Historical Society
What an important little space for our community. The museum is located at the historic corner of Castro and 18th Street- kitty-corner from Harvey's (old Elephant Walk restaurant, where the White Night Riots occurred after Dan White's sentencing), 3-4 storefronts from the wonderful Cliff's Variety Store, and about a dozen storefronts down from the Castro Theater. Cross 18th street but stay on Castro and you'll hit Harvey Milk's old camera store a few doors up.
The museum fills one room, but I was immersed in the sights of the gay old days of San Francisco. I learned a lot about the community here- from the Castro's younger days as Eureka Valley, a sleepy Irish-Catholic community to its present boeheme, proud gem of the community. It was really interesting to see the memorabilia from the gay hangouts on Polk Street- to hear about legends like The Black Cat (drag club), Jose Sarria (drag queen and star singer/performer), lesbian history of SF- Valencia corridor, the Women's Building (on 18th- always wondered about it- beautiful murals outside) and the rich and important legacy of activism within the GLBT community here.
I loved the memorabilia- Coors boycott buttons, organizing pamphlets against the SFPD, memorials of dear friends who had died of AIDS. It was moving for me to see Harvey Milk's suit and wing-tipped shoes(Harvey never owned a new suit while supervisor- always wore second hand- and it showed!) Harvey Milk wore the suit on the day he was assassinated. You can see the dark bloodstains near the collar and small holes from the bullets can be seen in the suit's shabby blue and grey stripes. I was shocked they had this, and to hear a recording of his at the same time was moving and seemed so human, so tragic.
Admission was only a couple of dollars and the place has a volunteer effort that collects admission money. The space was somber and solemn, but also beautiful and thought-provoking. I'm not going to lie- I teared up more than once when I came in. I was touched. I'm going to catch all their revolving exhibitions. I highly suggest this little museum and it gets my highest praises.
Another helpful note- bring your children if they are too young to read the materials (preferably sleeping so they're quiet- its a small space) OR bring your children when they can understand the importance, reverence, and respect it deserves. There may be some content that could be objectionable for the eyes of young children, but I'm very much going to bring my high-school football-player brother. ;-)
Please bring it back?!
I saw Milk at the Castro Theater last week. I cried, I laughed, then I left the theater half-expecting to step into the 1970s Castro in which Harvey Milk was so influential.
On a friend's suggestion, J and I stopped down the street at this little offshoot of the GLBT Historical Society's SoMa location, currently showing an exhibit called "Passionate Struggle: Dynamics of San Francisco's GLBT History." It's unassuming from the outside, and looks more like a store than a museum. But once you're inside, you'll be glad you stepped in to see the tiny collection, which costs $3 to see.
There are piles of local history, all thematically organized, including old photographs, books, fliers and some videos depicting the Cops vs. Castro struggles that plagued the area in the 70s. The crown jewel of the collection is the suit Supervisor Harvey Milk wore while he was assassinated. That alone - ragged, subtly stained and with bullet holes visible - was the most powerful piece in the whole exhibit. You'll also find a sparkly sandal thrown at a cop and then-Police-Chief Frank Jordan's shoe, lost in a similar battle. There are even photographs of same-sex commitment ceremonies in the 70s, which will seem like unassuming, uninteresting wedding photos until you think about how, just a month ago, California still voted against marriage equality.
It'll hopefully grow quickly on this highly-trafficked street, so everyone should visit and have a look.
This prominent little new addition to the Castro scene, right on the corner of Gay and Homosexual, is so overdue, I can't believe it.
Thank you Wolf Camera for leaving this property and opening up this space! (and that you Wamu for donating the space to the GLBT Historical Society--I know that rent ain't cheap at all!).
Though not large, this place covers it all. It has historical souvenirs, photographs, videos, and historically sound information spanning many decades of GLBT history both in and out of San Francisco. Having lived in the city for nearly 2 years, I easily got sucked into reading all the fascinating history that I didn't have to live through, but am fortunate enough to reap the benefits of.
Stop by when you're in the area, whether you're a local or a tourista. The entry fee is disgustingly low (like $3 or so) and it helps support our community. Understanding a part of the history of our grand city, as well as our community at large (even for those not so "family") is something everyone should take advantage of and cherish. We're so lucky to have this new site.
P.S. Unverified, but one of the volunteers there mentioned that the GLBT Historical Society has their main office somewhere else (1 block from Metreon apparently) and it's apparently HUGE, yet gets nearly no foot traffic just because of its location and lack of visibility. I will be checking it out soon.
And here I thought I'd get a "First to Review" from this place ;)
As Tara noted, visiting this little corner museum after watching 'Milk' at the Castro Theatre was as perfect a finish as a swig of ale after a basket of fries.
According to a friend who told me about this nugget, WaMu leased or bought this space only to discover it was unable to open a branch there due to zoning laws. This was all before it was swallowed up by Chase, and being the decent institution that it is, WaMu agreed to lease or sublease the space to the GLBT Historical Society for something on the order of $1 per year (or was it month?).
Okay, my facts are fuzzy, but you get the gist.
What we're left with is a touching, if tiny, tribute to the gay rights movement in and around San Francisco. Great memorabilia include posters, videos, and signs from protests, parties, and other events. They even have, as Tara mentioned, Harvey Milk's suit from when he was assassinated, complete with blood stains.
All museums have to start somewhere, and for so humble an endeavor, the GLBT Historical Society has an impressive collection. I'd love if some day this were known as "the original" museum, once they've moved into a bigger building, deserving of the rich history of the gay community.
This is a great little place to stop in. You definately get a taste of the history of the Castro. There are no end of buttons, brochures, fliers, and paraphenalia from the good old days (and the bad ones) of the gay rights movement. The Sylvester costume is awesome, however I think the clothes Harvey Milk got shot in might be in poor taste. It only costs $3 to enter so it's definately a cheap way to get a little history and kill 30 minutes or so. Be sure to donate a little extra money if you can, because this place runs on your donations.
Stopped by the Castro Branch of the GLBT Historical Society and it is fantastic. The exhibits are really well organized. "Passionate Struggle: Dynamics of San Francisco's GLBT History". From outside it looks more like a store than a museum, dont hesitate and get inside to discover the history and feel the great energy. It only cost $3 but if you can donate a bit more cash that will help for sure. Books, Flyers, Memorabilia, Few Videos. If you have seen the movie MILK (and your should!!), the suit Harvey Milk wore while he was assassinated is inside...go go go, the more supporters the better.