Wide Open Town History Project records
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
GLBT Historical Society
2023
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
http://www.glbthistory.org/
Title: Wide Open Town History Project records
Dates: 1930s-2002
Collection Number: 2003-05
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 4.8 linear feet (9 boxes, 2 oversize boxes)
Online items available
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: This collection contains research files and oral histories from Nan Alamilla Boyd’s groundbreaking history of queer San Francisco
to 1965, “Wide Open Town.” Highlights of the collection include audiotapes of 41 separate interviews, some with transcripts;
and photographs and archival materials donated by Boyd’s subjects, which date back to the 1930s.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
Funding for processing this collection was provided by the National Historical Publications andRecords Commission (NHPRC).
This collection has been digitized in partnership with Gale/Cengage. Contact the GLBT Historical Society archivist for information
regarding access to the digital collection.
Copyright has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society.
[Identification of item]. Wide Open Town History Project records. Collection Number: 2003-05. GLBT Historical Society
Gift of Nan Alamilla Boyd in 2003 and 2010.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains research files and oral histories from Nan Alamilla Boyd’s groundbreaking history of queer San Francisco
to 1965, “Wide Open Town.” Highlights of the collection include audiotapes of 41 separate interviews, some with transcripts;
and photographs and archival materials donated by Boyd’s subjects, which date back to the 1930s.
Boxes 1 to 5 contain research files. These include Boyd’s notes, photocopies of primary sources that date back to the 1950s,
academic articles about LGBT history and a small amount of professional correspondence. Boxes 6 and 7 contain materials related
to the oral histories, including release forms, letters, notes and transcripts. These are arranged alphabetically. There are
also research files on bars, people and organizations. These include portions of Boyd’s interviews, interviews by other scholars,
academic articles and news clippings. Boxes 8 and 9 include a guide to queer bars in the Bay Area compiled by Eric Garber;
photographs and archival materials donated by Boyd’s interview subjects; and photographs, page proofs and other materials
related to “Wide Open Town.” Boxes 10 and 11 (Oversize) contain audiotapes of oral history interviews and performances. GSSO
Linked Terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000374; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000381; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000130;
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_008517; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_002235
Gay men
Lesbians
Transgender people
Nightlife
Homophile movement