Black Cat Café Mascot, circa 1950-1955

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Black Cat Café
Abstract:
Extent:
5 linear feet (1 artifact)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Black Cat Café Mascot. GLBT Historical Society

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes the original papier mache mascot for the Black Cat Café, which was a historic queer bar on Montgomery Street in San Francisco, California. The roughly 6 foot long cat sat above the bar of the cafe until its eventual closure in 1964, after which it was inherited by Bill Plath and his partner, Dick Rousseau. Bill Plath was a founding member of the Society for Individual Rights, as well as a manager of several gay bars in San Francisco. The cat was then inherited by Plath’s adopted son, Michael Finn.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Melissa Henry, Trustee of the Micheal Finn Estate, 2022.

Indexed terms

Subjects:
LGBTQ
Nightlife
Places:
San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Preferred citation:

Black Cat Café Mascot. GLBT Historical Society

Location of this collection:
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, CA 94103, US
Contact:
(415) 777-5455