Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Biography/Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
Additional collection guides
Descriptive Summary
Title: Ambush records
Dates: 1974-1991
Collection Number: 1998-30
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 20.5 linear feet (16 cartons, 1 manuscript box)
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: The Ambush was a gay bar and art gallery, located in the South of Market neighborhood, that catered to a leather, bear, biker,
and western crowd. The collection contains administrative records, financial documents, receipts, artwork, ephemera, tapes
of music played at the Ambush, the personal papers of co-owner Kerry Bowman (including correspondence and drafts of an erotic
novel), slides of the Ambush and events such as motorcycle runs, and related materials.
Language of Material: English
Access
Collection is open for research. Personnel materials in cartons 3, 8, 9, and 10 may be restricted; please contact the GLBT
Historical Society archives for details.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Ambush records. Collection Number: 1998-30. GLBT Historical Society
Acquisition Information
Gift of Robert Prager on April 5, 1998 and gift of Mike Caffee on August 3, 1998.
Biography/Administrative History
The collection contains administrative records, financial documents, receipts, artwork, ephemera, tapes of music played at
the Ambush, the personal papers of co- owner Kerry Bowman (including correspondence and drafts of an erotic novel), slides
of the Ambush and events such as motorcycle runs, and related materials.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Ambush was a gay bar and art gallery, located in the South of Market neighborhood, that catered to a leather, bear, biker,
and western crowd. With artwork by Chuck Arnett, it was known as a cruising ground, with sex in the bathrooms and a specially
built “meat rack” where men could look for partners. GSSO linked terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_008517; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000268
Indexing Terms
Nightlife
Leather
Additional collection guides