User:Lutzk~enwiki/PNLA

Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives (PNLA)
The Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives was founded in 2006 as a grassroots organization that collects materials documenting lesbian life in the Pacific Northwest. Based in Seattle, WA, the PNLA uses archival quality storage for the business records, personal papers, manuscripts, audio and visual materials, and other lesbian ephemera that are collected and preserved for community research, interest and inspiration.

[[Image:wiki.png|frame|Official Logo of the Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives goes here

Founded: 2006

Director: Lisa Cohen, 2006-Present

Location: Seattle, WA ]]

Mission
According to its website, “the Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives (PNLA) gathers, preserves and shares primary source materials of lesbians to enhance public and scholarly understanding of our diverse, regional herstory; bringing our herstory out of obscurity to promote learning, visibility and community strength.” [1]

Vision
The Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives envisions a community in which lesbians are embraced, honored and respected for their past, present and future contributions and accomplishments. [1]

History
Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archive Executive Director Lisa Cohen was introduced to the concept of lesbian archives at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival. Inspired by the work of the Lesbian Legacy Project based in LA, Cohen founded the Seattle-based Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives in 2006 after 13 years of planning and practicing archival work. The PNLA is a sister group to the Lesbian Herstory Archives in Brooklyn, NY; the June Mazer Lesbian Archives in West Hollywood, CA; and Ohio Lesbian Archives, in Cincinnati, OH. These organizations similarly exist to preserve and celebrate lesbian culture and history, or “herstory.”

The PNLA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization supported by a Board of Trustees, Director and Archivist Lisa Cohen and community volunteers. Collections of the PNLA are made available for research at the Seattle office space. In addition to collecting and preserving the documents and memorabilia of lesbian herstory the Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives organizes community events aimed at uniting the lesbian community of the Pacific Northwest and bringing the knowledge of the past into the present. [2]

Currently the Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives maintains a growing relationship with the Washington State Historical Society. While the PNLA will remain active as a community promoter of lesbian history and culture, the Washington State History Museum has accepted a partnership with the Lesbian Archives whereby collections will be relocated for storage and accessioned into the State collection.

Collections
The PNLA encourages donations of materials documenting lesbian life in the Pacific Northwest—mostly Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho and southwestern British Columbia. The Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives specifically seeks lesbian materials that that predate the 1970s. Collected materials include:


 * Business records from lesbian organizations, groups, and business


 * Personal papers and manuscripts that document lesbian lives such as diaries scrapbooks and journals


 * Audio and visual materials including photographs, films, and LPs that relate to lesbian life


 * Printed Materials
 * Ephemera such as clothing, protest signs, bumper stickers and political buttons that relate to specific events or time periods. [1]

The collections are archived by the members of the Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives and community volunteers using upon receipt. Most collections are donations from individual community members who are interested in the preservation of lesbian history. The collection is available to the public for research by appointment only.

While currently the collections are stored in the PNLA Seattle, WA office space, eventually they will be transferred to the Tacoma History Museum of the Washington State Historical Society for permanent storage.

Public Programs
The Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives serves its community by promoting contemporary lesbian life and culture through PNLA sponosred events, in addition to preserving relics from lesbian herstory. PNLA events include:


 * Volunteer Training, Meetings, and Appreciation Events: Community members are invited to meet the archivists of the PNLA and learn the process of archiving. The trainings serve as both educational and practical information sessions as well as an opportunity for members of the community to share their interests with one another.


 * Film Showings: The Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives co-sponsors films pertaining to Gay and Lesbian histories during the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.


 * Community Retreats: The Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives organizes womens' wilderness retreats designed to build community, celebrate lesbian culture, and to reunite with volunteers and other supporters of PNLA

Exhibits
The PNLA does not have its own exhibition space but uses its archival resources and collections to develop traveling exhibits for local Pride events. Pending further collaboration with the Washington State History Museum the Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives will help develop and promote exhibitions and events utilizing the Museum's space.