Lesbian Herstory Archives has been documenting Sapphic history since 1974
The Lesbian Herstory Archives, the home of an LGBTQ history trove in Brooklyn, New York, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Deborah Edel, one of the founders of the Lesbian Herstory Archives, the home of a lesbian history trove in Brooklyn, New York, said that sometimes when she gives tours of the archives, people will get very quiet.
“I think, ‘Oh, am I boring them? Should I throw in a joke and try to be funny?’ she said. “Then I realize, I’m very familiar with the collection, but this for them is the first time, and they are overwhelmed by the material, by being in such an environment, by being surrounded by so much lesbian material and lesbian history, and they’re taking it all in quietly.”
Edel, who co-founded the archives 50 years ago, in 1974, with writer and activist Joan Nestle, among others, said people from all over the world come to visit.
“Some people come to do research, they’re very focused, and other people come because they just want to get swallowed up by lesbian culture,” said Edel, who will turn 80 this year.
Deborah Edel, left, helps hold a Lesbian Herstory Archives banner at the annual Pride Parade in New York City in 1980.Peter Keegan / Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty ImagesFrom the outside, the building that houses the archives looks like all the other brownstones on the picturesque, tree-lined Brooklyn street, just off Prospect Park.
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