While on our annual pilgrimage to the International Mr Leather event in Chicago my husband and I finally took a few hours to tour the Leather Archives & Museum located in a quiet neighborhood on the north side of the city.
Still getting my boots solidly planted into the leather tribe, the visit was a powerful educational opportunity to really learn the history of the culture. It was also for me a deeply emotional experience of connection and the sense I do actually belong in this world. We’re not alone on this journey by any stretch.
The museum is located about 15 minutes north of downtown Chicago and was founded by pillars of the International Leather Community, Chuck Renslow and Tony DeBlase over 30 years ago. A non-profit foundation, their facility spans two floors of a sizable building at 6418 N Greenview Ave.
Featured are a combination of permanent and periodic exhibits, art galleries, memorabilia and a full library archive of leather, fetish, kink and BDSM culture past to present. Historical perspectives of the people and clubs that played a pivotal role in the modern movement are on display. You’ll find a significant cache of past and current leather club patches from around the world on hand in the archives. Even a prototype leather patch from the Phoenix Boys Of Leather club was part of collection.
The best part is you can see, feel and touch much of it. You can listen to audio and video stories of vintage leather events and contests. I learned a lot from one exhibit about the decades old history of transgender personalities in the leather community I’d never even heard of. They are trailblazers, leaders and figures who really helped shape the culture back in a time when it was even more challenging than now. Their stories aren’t out front in most places, but they are center stage here.
It’s not however for children or pearl clutching ninnies. There’s plenty of adult grade art, books, movies and memorabilia to feast the eyes on. Pieces and parts of famous old haunts like Man’s Country baths in Chicago and some of the leather bars that have come and gone are about the premises. There’s dungeon sex furniture and gear along with a few whips and chains – even a real glory hole panel from a past establishment.
I would be lying if I didn’t get the occasional chub and tingle. In the first floor restroom you will find vast wall scrawl with “for a good time call…..” ads that patrons have left as a marker to their visit. There’s even one left in memoriam to a local friend from Phoenix who had recently passed that brought tears to our eyes.
On the second floor is a fully functional theater where screenings and educational programs are held on a regular calendar to take you further into the community and its practice. For those planning their visit, you can choose a program of entertainment or demonstration workshops to sharpen your skills in the dungeon. There’s something for the entire leather BDSM family.
It’s a living breathing monument to a tribe of men, women, trans and other non-binary people who’s lifestyle isn’t often highlighted or documented thoroughly in mainstream culture. Visiting the museum is relatively inexpensive and they are friendly folks willing to answer questions and share a story or two. There is of course also a small gift shop.
Having been in their current location for some time and owning their building outright, the Leather Archives & Museum is currently raising funds for a dramatic multi-million dollar remodel. The plans already in motion will further enhance the exhibit spaces, install a new elevator to make access easier for more people, and to make this destination even more attractive down the road.
I’ve barely touched the surface and I encourage your perusal of their website to get a more detailed picture of the place and how to visit. If you’re into leather, fetish, kink or BDSM this is a place to become roped in a little tighter to the world you love.
Smoker of fine tires, eater of natural foods, connoisseur of aromatic leathers, pusher of limits.