Don Paulson collection, 1939-2006

Scope and Content: The Paulson papers are comprised of textual materials, sound recordings, videocassettes, programs, handbills, and sheet music relating to Paulson's life as an artist in the Seattle area, his friendships with other gay men, and his research on female impersonators, notably those who performed at the Seattle cabaret, the Garden of Allah, in the 1950s. The collection is organized into three subgroups. The Evening at the Garden of Allah subgroup contains incoming letters, subject files, clippings, handbills, programs, ephemera, audio interviews with performers and patrons of the theater, miscellaneous audio and video recordings, and other material relating to the research and publicity for the 1996 book, An Evening at the Garden of Allah: A Gay Cabaret in Seattle. Most of the informants that Paulson interviewed are no longer living. Correspondents include Billy DeVoe and Harvey W. Goodwin. Interviewees include Harvey Lee, Billy DeVoe, and Robin Raye.

Materials in the Seattle Black and White Men Together (BWMT) subgroup include notes and minutes from Don Paulson's term as secretary, newsletters and promotional materials for BWMT, and regional/national convention materials. The Personal Papers subgroup includes biographical information, correspondence, posters, drawings, notes, clippings, and ephemera. Skippy LaRue's clipping collection about female impersonators is also included. Correspondents include Bruce Pitcairn Strachan, Joel Salsman, Rev. Keith D. Davis, John Franklin Koenig, Dennis Meurer, Tim S. Nolan, Terry Nordyke, Diane Scott, Daryl Stipek, and Elizabeth Wight.

Scope and Content: Photographs, manuscripts, biographical material and other writings, notes, souvenir programs and other publications, 135 audio recordings on cassette tapes and CD, 5 VHS videocassette tapes, clippings, and ephemera.

Scope and Content: These materials are primarily comprised of journals, research files on the Brownell Homestead, records and history of the Lux Sit and Dance light show, interviews of Quentin Crisp, binders and scrapbooks on Paulson's art career and research, and correspondence between Paulson and his family, as well as correspondence between Paulson and Anne Gould Hauberg.

Includes photographs (prints, negatives, and slides), and sound cassettes.

Scope and Content: Audio recordings on cassette tapes and LP, DVDs, VHS tapes, clippings, notes, biographical materials, photographic materials, and manuscripts.

Scope and Content: Posters and ephemera relating to AIDS, drag queens, and the general GLBTQ community. Ephemera in vertical file includes programs, show announcements, newsletters from Sister Paula Ministries (Portland, Oregon), clippings, and souvenir booklet from the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle.

Scope and Content: A draft of Don Paulson's story "Invasion of the Spare Parts People" and one letter from Paulson to friend Roger Simpson describing the intent and process of the creating the story.