Capital Campaign 2026 – 2027
Forged to Last
The Leather Archives & Museum
A landmark renovation to preserve the world’s most significant collection of leather, kink, BDSM, and fetish history — and open its doors wider than ever before.
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See the Plans
New Research Center · ADA Accessibility · Flexible Event Space · Improved Climate Controls ·
History Worth Keeping
The Leather Archives & Museum (LA&M) is one of the only institutions in the world dedicated to preserving leather, kink, BDSM, and fetish history and culture. Founded in 1991 by Chuck Renslow and Tony DeBlase in direct response to the AIDS crisis — during which our communities’ history was routinely lost, suppressed, or discarded — the LA&M has grown into a 501(c)(3) archive, library, and museum of global significance.
What We’re Building
In 2024, the LA&M launched a capital campaign to transform our historic building — a former synagogue built in 1955 — into a fully realized, accessible world-class institution.
- Dedicated Research Center
A purpose-built research space for scholars, community members, and archivists to access the LA&M’s unparalleled holdings — including oral history recordings, video, photographs, magazines and newsletters, archival records and rare publications. - Flexible Event Space
A reconfigured event space to host a broader range of community gatherings, lectures, performances and programming — engaging with the broader community in a variety of ways. - ADA Accessibility
We are making code compliant upgrades throughout the building, ensuring the LA&M is genuinely welcoming and accessible to every member of our community regardless of ability. This includes a new elevator, accessible restrooms and welcoming spaces. - Improved Climate Controls
Our 1950’s building is showing its age and needs help to ensure our leathers and leather history remain safe and dry. This includes a new HVAC system with humidity controls, an early fire detection system, and a foundation seal to keep the building dry.
Road Map
- 2018 – Initial Considerations
LA&M Board discuss buildings increasing issues and need for change. Board begins study to consider a renovation or a move to a new location. - 2019 – Renovation Ideas
Research shows that a renovation is the better solution for our long-term needs, and LA&M begins working with Space Architects + Planners on initial ideas. - 2020-2021 – Halt!
Covid brings the work to a halt as we move into survival mode to ensure our staff are safe, and that our community’s history continues to be preserved. - 2022-2023 – Re-Consideration
LA&M begins to restart discussions of building needs, and the likelihood of successful fundraising for a $2 million renovation. - 2024 — Campaign Launch
Capital Campaign Announced
LA&M publicly launches its capital campaign at IML, setting the vision for an accessible and future-ready institution. - 2024-2025 — Planning and Fundraising
LA&M is working with Space Architects + Planners to finalize plans for the renovation and acquire the necessary permits for the work to occur. LA&M begins accepting bids for a general contractor to complete the work. - 2026 – Final Preparations
LA&M selects Synergy as general contactor for the project, and begin finalizing renovation plans, including plans for moving and storage of the historic collections. - May 2026 – Moving Day!
LA&M will work with professional art and archives handlers to pack and move the collections to a climate-controlled storage facility where they will be safely housed during the renovations. - June 2026 – Construction
Construction begins on June 1 and is expected to last 8 months. - March 2027 – The Return!
Once construction is completed, LA&M will begin the move back into the building. - April 2027 – Exhibit installation
LA&M begins installing exhibits and works in its newly designed gallery spaces an dplanning programs and events for its re-opening! - May 2027 – We’re Back!
LA&M re-opens for IML 2027, welcoming everyone into its new spaces accessible to everyone!
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