The Leather Archives & Museum was founded by Chuck Renslow and Tony DeBlase in 1991 as a community archives, library, and museum of leather, kink, fetish, and BDSM history and culture. See Plan Your Visit for hours and admission information.
Mission Statement
Making leather, kink, BDSM, and fetish accessible through research, preservation, education and community engagement.
Tax ID (FEIN): 36-3841874
Tax Exempt Information
The LA&M is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a charity under the 501(c)(3) provisions. This means that monetary donations as well as donations to the collections are tax deductible subject to IRS rules and regulations. While the LA&M is pursuing grant opportunities, we rely on the community whose history is being preserved for support. The LA&M operational expenses consist of archival and exhibit supplies, utility bills necessary to maintain appropriate environmental conditions, exhibit freight expenses, and administrative expenses. 501(c)3 Documentation
All LA&M members are invited to attend these meetings. The winter, spring and fall meetings are virtual. The summer meeting is held in person at the Leather Archives & Museum.
For more information, please email us at online (at) leatherarchives.org or call 773-761-9200.
Joining the Board of Directors
The LA&M is governed by a Board of Directors whose primary role is the long-term sustainability of the organization. Board members bring their unique perspectives to the discussions around LAM priorities, strategic planning and budget allocation, and provide guidance and support to the LAM Executive Director. Board members are appointed to a 3-year term which must be ratified by the LAM membership. Board members must participate in 4 meetings each year, three of which are virtual. The 4th meeting is a weekend planning meeting held in person in Chicago each summer. Board members must also maintain an active LAM membership.
Board service is open to anyone with a passion for the organization’s mission to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of leather kink, fetish and BDSM. LAM is especially interested in new board members from marginalized and under represented communities. For more information, please reach out to us by email to online (at) leatherarchives.org, or call us at 773-761-9200.
Policies of the LA&M