Tom Rolfsen and Chal Cochran photograph albums
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: Tom Rolfsen and Chal Cochran photograph albums
Dates: 1937-1999
Collection Number: 2000-20
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 2.1 linear feet
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: This collection contains 17 photograph albums that document the life of Thomas Franklin Rolfsen and his partner of 52 years,
Chalmer "Chal" Clemons Cochran. Rolfsen and Cochran were among the founders of the Gay Atheists League of America (GALA).
Cochran was a typesetter for the Bay Area Reporter and he and Rolfsen owned several businesses together, including a restaurant
and printing company. They died less than two weeks apart in 2000.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
[Identification of item]. Tom Rolfsen and Chal Cochran photograph albums. Collection Number: 2000-20. GLBT Historical Society
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains 17 photograph albums that document the life of Thomas Franklin Rolfsen and his partner of 52 years,
Chalmer "Chal" Clemons Cochran. Rolfsen and Cochran were among the founders of the Gay Atheists League of America (GALA).
Cochran was a typesetter for the Bay Area Reporter and he and Rolfsen owned several businesses together, including a restaurant
and printing company. They died less than two weeks apart in 2000. The albums contain photographs of their homes together
(“Our Homes”), their family and friends, their travels in the U.S. and abroad (“Ohio to California!") and their activism in
GALA. There is also a drawing, a few personal paper documents, Rolfsen’s military papers, materials related to the homes they
owned together, a few letters, materials related to their deaths and some ephemera. GSSO linked terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000374;
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_008194; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000823
Photography
Long-term relationships
Gay men