Finding aid to the Rest Stop Collection, 1978-2001
GLC 128
Tim Wilson
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
2018
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Title: Rest Stop Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1978-2001
Identifier/Call Number: GLC 128
Creator:
Rest Stop (San Francisco, Calif.)
Physical Description:
2 boxes
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: Rest Stop was an emotional support center for persons living with AIDS/ARC/HIV in San Francisco, California. It opened in
1987 and closed in 1992. The collection contains the Rest Stop newsletter, photographs, subject files, newspaper clippings,
a small amount of correspondence, and three videotapes.
Physical Location: Collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Separated Materials
An invitation to "The Great S.I.R. Reunion," a "S.I.R. Pocket Lawyer" (1971-revised edition), "Vector" (August 1972), and
Homosexuality: A Contemporary View of the Biblical Perspective
(San Francisco: Glide) by Robert L. Treese were separated and added to GLC 80 Society for Individual Rights Collection. Several
buttons and pins were separated and added to the LGBTQIA Realia Collection: "Carnival '71. CMC [California Motorcycle Club]";
"Coronation 77. Empress XI de San Francisco. Flame"; "BWMT [Black and White Men Together] 81 First Annual International Convention,
San Francisco"; "Convergence '97. hosted by GMDV, Philadelphia, PA. 8/29/97 thru 9/1/97. GMDV@USA.NET (609) 786-6987"; "The
Advocate. Participation, Contribution, Fun"; "Roundup IV. Dave Valentine, S.F."; "San Francisco Gangway 10 [pin]"; "Wide Pride";
"Queer! Spiritual! 4Marriage! MCC Metropolitan Community Church San Francisco. www.mccsf.org"; "I Served the Community at
Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners"; and "NABWMT [National Association of Black and White Men Together] Donor".
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Rest Stop Collection (GLC 128), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
Donated by Paul Peder Steindal, July 14, 2011. Rest Stop: The Newsletter, volume 2, issue 2 purchased from Bolerium, June
2016. Art exhibition postcard "finding our own healing" (1989) donated by Sharon Siskin, April 20, 2018.
Biographical / Historical
Rest Stop was an emotional support center for persons living with AIDS/ARC/HIV. Located at 134 Church Street, San Francisco,
the center opened in 1987 and closed in 1992. Rest Stop was the brainchild of the Reverend James E. Sandmire, the pastor
of Golden Gate Metroplitan Community Church, in response to the needs experienced by his son Dean. It was initially started
to provide a clean, comfortable home-like facility that would be a "rest stop" for those affected by AIDS/ARC/HIV between
appointments or errands. The needs of clients grew and additional support was obtained from local businesses, professional
groups and associations. Due to the rejection, discrimination and self-esteem issues for its clients, Rest Stop fostered a
program of positive, supportive social interaction. Paul Peder Steindal was a former co-director.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains the Rest Stop newsletter, photographs of activities at the center, subject files on volunteers and
staff, newspaper clippings about its activities and community impact, a small amount of correspondence, and three videotapes.
Arrangement
Arranged into 7 series: Series 1. Subject Files; Series 2. Correspondence; Series 3. Publications; Series 4. Newspaper Articles;
Series 5. Photographs; Series 6. Videotapes; and Series 7. Buttons / Pins.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
AIDS (Disease) -- California.
Community health services -- California -- San Francisco.
Gay men and AIDS.
Sandmire, James E.
Kam, Crayne
Siskin, Sharon
Steindal, Paul Peder
Series 1
Subject Files,
1978-2001
Physical Description:
8 folders
box 1, folder 1
Art exhibition postcards,
1989-1992
General
Finding Our Own Healing [I], II and III, and Positive Art.
box 1, folder 2
Kam, Crayne ("Remembering Crayne," memorial notice),
1994, 2001
box 1, folder 3
Larson, Eric. And Edward Majul. Invitation to their holy union,
1978
box 1, folder 4
Metropolitan Community Church. AIDS brochure,
undated
box 1, folder 5
Moving Mountains: GAPA Community HIV Project. Five year retrospective,
1994
box 1, folder 6
Rest Stop brochures,
1988, undated
box 1, folder 7
Rest Stop overview and history,
undated
box 1, folder 8
Taylor, Lance (with Elizabeth Vivenzio). "Living With AIDS",
undated
Series 2
Correspondence,
1991, undated
box 1, folder 9
Correspondence. Siskin, Sharon (California Arts Council grantees: Artist-in-residence / Client-as-teacher grantees; "The Healing
Art" clipping)
1991, undated
box 1, folder 10
Correspondence. Memo from Barry Frederick and Paul Steindal to Board of Directors regarding Present and Future Programs at
Rest Stop,
undated
Series 3
Publications,
1988-1992
box 1, folder 11
Alert: News from the UFMCC on AIDS Legislation, Education, Research and Treatment [Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community
Churches],
March 1992
General
Contains "A Celebration of The Rev. Robert Pierce," among other news items.
box 1, folder 12
New Writings from Rest Stop
(San Francisco),
March 1990
box 1, folder 13
Rest Stop The Newsletter
(San Francisco),
1988-1992
Series 4
Newspaper Articles,
1988-1996
box 1, folder 14
Clipping: "Rest Stop: Drop-In Center for PWAs Celebrates 1st Anniversary" by Douglas Comstock (in
Bay Area Reporter
),
May 26, 1988
box 1, folder 15
Clipping: "If You Need a Break: Rest Stop Is There" by Jan Newquist (in
Bay Area Reporter
),
December 15, 1988
box 1, folder 16
Clipping: "AIDS: The Youngest Victims" by Perri Klass (in
The New York Times Magazine
),
June 18, 1989
box 1, folder 17
Clipping: "Positive Faith" by Matthew Link, photos by Scott Whitten (in
Metro Life Style: a Lesbian and Gay Magazine
),
Fall/Winter 1995-1996
Series 5
Photographs,
1989-1993, undated
box 1, folder 18
Photograph album [color photocopy],
1989-1993, undated
General
This is a photocopy of the photo album pages in their original order. The photos have been removed from the original housing
for conservation reasons.
box 1, folders 19-21
Photograph album [loose photos],
1989-1993, undated
Physical Description:
3 folders
General
Contains photos removed from the original album pages for conservation reasons. Photos are in the original order as demonstrated
by the color photocopy of the original page layout. Subjects include Rest Stop gatherings such as a Halloween party, and participation
in the San Francisco gay pride parade. Some staff members are pictured; and there is a print of Stephen Savage's photo of
Doug Comstock, Paul Steindal, and Barry Frederick. There is an obituary and a Polaroid photo of a banner for the Reverend
Virgil Hall.
box 1, folder 22
Photographs,
1989-[1991], undated
General
Contains photos of the Rest Stop contingent in a San Francisco gay pride parade, ACT UP Golden Gate banners and placards,
9th San Francisco AIDS Candlelight Memorial and Mobilization [1991], Stephen Savage photo of Rest Stop staff: Doug Comstock,
Paul Steindal, and Barry Frederick.
Series 6
Videotapes, 67224
1989, undated
box 2
Celebrating the Life of James E. Sandmire, VHS videotape,
May 20, 1989
box 2
Christians Living with HIV with Crayne Kam, master copy, VHS videotape,
undated
box 2
Crayne Kam, VHS videotape,
undated
Series 7
Buttons / Pins,
undated
Physical Description:
3 items
box 2
Project Inform. It's Never Too Early ...to take charge of your health,
undated
box 2
Play Safely. L.A. Cares,
undated
box 2
Stop AIDS Project,
undated