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Jim Mac Cready photos and letter

Photograph
1. Nineteen color and B/W photos with notations written on back and a note indicating there is more information about the photos in the text of Mac Cready's letter. 2. Six-page, handwritten letter from Jim Mac Cready to Jim Schmiechen, dated 11-22-2016. The letter begins with Mac Cready's recollections of fun and gay-friendly lodging including Bird Center Cottages and Saugatuck Lodges. Next, Mac Cready recounts the back stories of the photos including cocktail time at the Elms Hotel run by Frank Van Antelek in 1967; the tragic ends of Bob and Jim who owned The Bay; at a cottage's beach in Douglas; beach erosion in 1967-1968; 4th of July caftan and hat party at Lucy's Shady Shores Motel 1976; on the beach north of the Oval 1967; Keewatin 1967; Peterson Mill 1964; Jim MacCready in 1964; Country Store Antiques; Patio area of Corner House [Hidden Gardens] when owned by Jackson Saye in 1964. 3. Print out of draft reply letter by Schmiechen.
photos fronts
Letters, note and envelope photo backs; 1-a Eve Labelle, Racine, Wis; 1-b Gayle Feuerer, Racine Wis, Fred Roberts, Peoria IL, George Sovitsky, Kenosha Wis; 1-c This guy used to carry a small 1 gal. keg of beer around with him. Man called Cousin George. I think was Frank Van Antelek companion.; 2-a 1966-67 Bob Jim; 2-b Jim Mac Cready Kenosha Wis, Fred Roberts Peoria IL; 3a and 3b July 4, 1976 Names Unknown; 4a 1967 Fred Roberts; 4b 1967 Jake Errion Peoria IL; 4-c 1967; 4-d 1967; 5 1967 1968 Jim MacCready; 6 1964; 7 1964; 8 1964 Tom Alfieri Chicago, Jim Mac Cready Kenosha WI; 9 1964 Jim Mac Cready Kenosha WI, Tom Alfieri Chicago; 10-a 1964 Jim MacCready; 13 1964 Tom Alfieri; C 1964 Tom Alfieri Jim MacCready

2021.41.82

Examples of mid-century gay gathering places collected by Jim Schmiechen for the Gay History project.

1960 Gay/LGBTQ+ culture

Winthers, Sally

2021.41

Schmiechen, James A.

Donation

MacCreadyhomosexualescaping ordinary lifesuicideflamboyantcross dressingcostumesrendezvousmeeting up with friends

11 in

8-1/2 in

103 Schmiechen, James

1-a Eve Labelle, Racine, Wis; 1-b Gayle Feuerer, Racine Wis, Fred Roberts, Peoria IL, George Sovitsky, Kenosha Wis; 1-c This guy used to carry a small 1 gal. keg of beer around with him. Man called Cousin George. I think was Frank Van Antelek companion.; 2-a 1966-67 Bob Jim; 2-b Jim Mac Cready Kenosha Wis, Fred Roberts Peoria IL; 3a and 3b July 4, 1976 Names Unknown; 4a 1967 Fred Roberts; 4b 1967 Jake Errion Peoria IL; 4-c 1967; 4-d 1967; 5 1967 1968 Jim MacCready; 6 1964; 7 1964; 8 1964 Tom Alfieri Chicago, Jim Mac Cready Kenosha WI; 9 1964 Jim Mac Cready Kenosha WI, Tom Alfieri Chicago; 10-a 1964 Jim MacCready; 13 1964 Tom Alfieri; C 1964 Tom Alfieri Jim MacCready

11/24/2025

11/24/2025