Description
The Records of OWT comprise one linear foot spanning the years 1976 to 1995. The Records provide documentation of the running
of a feminist collective enterprise almost always close to financial instability. The files document the day to day operations
of the bookstore from daily logs to calendars listings, collective minutes, author readings and other cultural events. The
Records are arranged in four series; Administrative, Printed, Miscellaneous, and Photographs.
Background
Old Wives' Tales Bookstore (OWT) was a feminist bookstore whose purpose was to support the empowerment of women by providing
books and information that are socially and politically relevant by providing books for and about women that were not available
elsewhere. The bookstores collection focused on lesbian, multi-cultural, international and feminist publishing; specially
featured works included titles from small, often obscure or emerging presses. OWT along with other women's bookstores worked
as a distributor with the feminist publishers that were created during the second wave of feminist. In addition it was the
goal of OWT to provide a community space for women.
Restrictions
Copyright to unpublished manuscript materials has been transferred to the Gay and Lesbian
Historical Society of Northern California.
Availability
Collection is open for research.