Henry William Diekow (1915-1988), also known as Baroness Eugenie von Dieckoff, was a major figure in the Imperial Court System and midcentury Bay Area drag society. Diekow’s papers include photographs, honoraria, and ephemera documenting his participation in San Francisco’s drag society and motorcycle clubs, as well as a complete reproduction of his gossip column-style journal, “Bag-a-Drag-by-the-Bay.”

Henry William Diekow (1915-1988), also known as Baroness Eugenie von Dieckoff, was a major figure in the Imperial Court System and midcentury Bay Area drag society. Between 1940 and 1958, Diekow kept a private journal written in the style of a gossip column, which he called “Bag-a-Drag-by-the-Bay”—a play on the title of Herb Caen’s column “Baghdad by the Bay.” The journal chronicles the activities of San Francisco’s gay socialites and drag luminaries, describing events ranging from tea parties to annual balls. It also offers coded glimpses into Diekow’s personal life—for example, the Baroness is described as having married numerous times, as well as adopting a daughter. Diekow joined the Imperial Court System, a nonprofit organization that celebrates drag culture and fundraises for San Francisco’s LGBT community, soon after its founding in 1965. He assumed a position on the Council of Empresses, but was vocal about his dislike for the politics of the Imperial Court—describing himself as “a socialite not a politician.” Diekow was involved in drag societies outside of the Bay Area, as well, such as the Golden Eagle Court of San Diego. Diekow was a member of several early gay motorcycle clubs in the 1960s, including the San Francisco-based California Motorcycle Club and the London-based Sixty-Nine Club. Outside of his social engagements, Diekow was employed in the domestic service industry. He worked as a butler at Rose Court, the estate of Helen de Young Cameron, for thirty years. After Cameron’s death in 1969, Diekow worked as a freelance butler for the remainder of his life. He was in a romantic partnership with teacher and activist Arthur Hurwith until his death in 1988.

10 linear feet (three cartons, one half manuscript box, two small oversize boxes, one medium oversize box, one costume box)

Collection is open for research.