High Brow Society Records, 1982-1996

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Scope and content:: The High Brow Society was an annual drag Halloween party held in San Francisco from 1982 to 1997. According to a 1992 “Brief History of The High Brow Society,” during its first years the event was known as The Dowager Ball and was hosted by John Allin. Beginning in 1986, a number of Allin’s friends began to host the party, calling themselves “The High Brow Society.” The party also became a fundraiser that year, primarily for HIV/AIDS-related organizations. The party was also known as the "The Muscle Sisters Drag Party." The collection includes albums, photographs, videos, invitations, membership lists, and ephemera documenting events from 1982 through 1996.
Acquisition information:: Gift of Michael Wolford on June 28, 2007. Addition by Bill Larsen, August 2023.

Collection Guide Author:: Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff.
Date Prepared:: 1982-1996
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:: Collection is open for research.
Terms of access:: Copyright to material has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society. All requests for reproductions and/or permission to publish or quote from material must be submitted in writing to the GLBT Historical Society Archivist.

Location of this collection:: GLBT Historical Society

989 Market Street, Lower Level

San Francisco, CA 94103, US