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Century of Progress: LGBTQ 2021 exhibit

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From the SDHC website: Covering over 100 years of history, the exhibit shares the stories of people living in the margins at the Lakeshore in a timeline format with local, state, and national LGBTQ developments included for context. Interpretive panels identify factors that have contributed to the diverse and inclusive nature of these two small Lake Michigan coastal villages alongside historical artwork and artifacts from SDHC collections. The exhibit showcases not only the progress made by the LGBTQ community, but also the challenges it has faced and the setbacks it has endured. The exhibit was initially planned to be open from September 2021 to November 2022, but was extended through the summer of 2024.
GlassDoorSticker-20x23.pdf
Century of Progress The timeline's black background becomes a rainbow as the viewer gets to more present events. Sally Winthers installing the door graphics at the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center, September 2021.; Main floor, east gallery 2022 MMA Awards Press Release.pdf; 2022 Peninsulas Prize Award 6 GH walls Credits_6.pdf; Research for this exhibit stands on the shoulders of James Schmiechen, PhD., founder of the Gay History Project With the assistance of Bill Galligan, Herb Bills, Steve Mottram, Gary Kott, Mark Neidlinger and Jonathan Schreur Thank You for Interviews, Information and Advice: Julie Abel, Kristin Armstrong, Bud Baty, Robert Berger, Peggy Boyce, Jacqueline Carey, Ken Carls, Marsha Caspar, Kaye Clements, Jen Cimmarusti, Steve Debbink, Glenna DeJong, Richard Donovan, Eliza Edwards, Arthur Fredricks, Larry Gammons, David Geen, Fred Hamlin, Wendy Hamlin, Ralph Hamilton, Greg Harvath, Timothy Johnson, Mike Jones, Sharon Kelly, Loren Kontio, Marsha Kontio, Ken Kutzel, Erik Livingston, Susan Martell, Forrest Morris, Michael O’Conner, Shelley Padnos, Greg Plowe, Tim Retzloff, Ted Reyda, Salvatore Sapienza, Carol Sarosik, James Schmiechen, Jack Sheridan, Chris Spencer, Michael Usher, Mary Voss, Al Weener, Beth Wilcox, Barb Wishon, Paullette Yetter Wall graphics: Intro to 1950s Wall graphics: 1960s Wall graphics: 1970s-1980s Wall graphics: 1990s to 2020s 8 Rainbow Flag Quote.pdf; “At the Winterland Ballroom we always danced with our arms raised up over our heads, snapping our fingers like Diana Ross. We’d shake our hips like Tina Turner, acid cheerleaders twirling in psychedelic funkadelic circles. Everyone was there: North Beach beatniks and barrio zoots, the bored bikers in black leather, teenagers in the back row kissing. There were long-haired, lithe girls in belly-dance get-ups, pink-haired punks safety-pinned together, hippie suburbanites, movie stars so beautiful they left you dumbstruck, muscle gayboys with perfect mustaches, butch dykes in blue jeans, and fairies of all genders in thrift-store dresses. Dance fused us, magical and cleansing. We were all in a swirl of color and light. It was like a rainbow. That’s the moment when I knew exactly what kind of flag I would make.” — Gilbert Baker (1951-2017), artist, drag queen, political activist and rainbow pride flag-maker Object labels.pdf Douglas Dunes slide show entry exhibit welcome banner and credits; Rainbow flag slice - During New York’s Gay Pride celebration in 1994, over 10,000 people carried a 30-foot-wide by one-mile-long rainbow flag through the streets of Manhattan, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The fabric displayed here is part of that original flag and was gifted to the Douglas United Church of Christ by local residents Greg Plowe and Steve Debbink. Intro, 1920s; Portrait of Florence 1950s with parade-size Kukla and Ollie puppets; These oversize puppets were crafted by Burr Tillstrom for use in Saugatuck’s parades. 1960s with Blue Tempo Jazz sign, Elms keys, reprints; Blue Tempo Jazz sign - Al Weener rescued this sign from the remains of the Blue Tempo Bar after the 1976 fire. Elms Hotel keys 1960s magazine reprints North of Oval Beach t-shirt 1970s-1980s; 1894 House Sign - Some believe this sign is a coded warning to LGBTQ guests. Dunes Red Swimsuit Poster - Signed by Steve Rosselet in 1983 and numbered 73/100 Café Sir Douglas sign - In its heyday, Café Sir Douglas was one of the top restaurants in town, popular with both the Douglas Dune’s guests and locals for its extensive menu. As fear of AIDS swept the nation, some locals stopped coming. reproduction party invitations Douglas Dunes photo show Hoopdee Scootee legs; Famed for her fabulous fashions, and an occasional disappearance, these legs adorned the facade of the Hoopdee Scootee boutique at 133 Mason St. in Saugatuck [now the Pink Patio]. 1990s-2020s with video monitor looping exhibit credits, rainbow window, sponsor credits guest feedback table; cards posted on cork strip along timeline Why do you think Saugatuck-Douglas happened? How did LGBTQ life change in the 1970s and 1980s? How did the AIDS crisis impact you? Today, are LGBTQ residents embraced, accepted or simply tolerated? What stories are missing from this timeline? guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback guest feedback CoP Press CR 08-26-2021.pdf A Brief Overview of LGBTQ History at the Lakeshore from Jim Schmiechen and revised by Eric Gollannek.docx

2022.50.07

SDHC Exhibits1960 Gay/LGBTQ+ culture

Winthers, Sally

108 SDHC Exhibits

Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area/South Denison Property/Gay/Nude Beach;

Michigan Humanities blog post about exhibit, July 2021
Shelley Irwin, WGVU, interview with Eric Gollannek, August 2021

10/29/2022

08/05/2024