The Lesbian Herstory Archives (LHA) in Park Slope, Brooklyn, is a treasure trove of materials related to lesbian life, activism, and scholarship. Founded in 1974 by lesbian scholars Deborah Edel, Joan Nestle, Sahli Cavallaro, Julia Stanley, and Pamela Oline, the LHA is the largest collection of materials by and for anyone who identifies with the term lesbian.
The archives started in a small apartment on 92nd Street but quickly outgrew the space, prompting a move to its current location in Park Slope in the early ’90s. The neighborhood was once known as “Dyke Slope” due to its vibrant lesbian community, but now LHA and Ginger’s Bar are among the last remaining lesbian-centric spaces in the area.
The LHA has always been grassroots-funded, with no government support, relying on donations from individuals, visitors, private grants, and like-minded organizations to sustain its vast collection. The archives house tens of thousands of items, including periodicals, magazines, literature, posters, T-shirts, zines, and more, all related to lesbian culture and history.
Visitors to the archives can explore a wide range of materials, including the first women-run lesbian erotica publication in the US, “On Our Backs,” and the pornographic zine “FaT GiRLs,” catering to “fat dykes and the women who want them.” The collection also features international publications like “Manushi,” an Indian feminist magazine that explores issues of class, gender, and religion in South Asia.
In addition to its vast collection, the LHA hosts community events such as workshops, collection spotlights, speed dating nights, screenings, and readings. The organization’s annual book sale during Brooklyn Pride is a popular event, bringing together lesbians of all ages for a celebration of community and history.
To visit the archives, appointments can be made through their online calendar portal to ensure a comfortable and accessible research experience for all visitors. The LHA is a place where intergenerational friendships thrive, with founders passing on their legacy to the next generation of lesbians who will continue to preserve and celebrate lesbian history for years to come.
