Browse Items (103 total)

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

View of guests attending the Beaux Arts Ball at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Parkway, Chicago, 1958. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.

1987- Notorious gay bar known for it's European vibe and drag performances, in service for over 3 decades

Map of the South Side Levee

Area locations for Chicago neighborhoods.

Image critical of First Ward Balls

Cover of DSM

A speakeasy, little bohemia that attracted "free-thinking" people and was the site of a lot of prostitution and female impersonation

"Among the most popular Dill Pickle Club events were its frequent masquerade balls. These events appealed to a broad range of partygoers, allowing wealthy residents of the Gold Coast to mingle in relative anonymity with working people and artists.…

An image of Garrick Theatre (May 1958, Chicago Tribune) where Vesta Tilley, male impersonator, performed male and female roles in the play "Algy" in October 1903

A layout of Haymarket Theatre, a place where Vesta Tilley, male impersonator, was voted best dressed man in Chicago (1903) but also performed here in March 1898.

an image of male impersonator Hetty King

Ella Wesner, male impersonator, performed here; Chicago Whispers, also black face performed here

View of the Jewel Box Revue, a traveling drag review held at Robert's Show Lounge, 6622 South Park Way (now King Drive), Chicago. Guests in attendance included donor James C. Darby and members of Chicago's gay community.