The Leather Archives & Museum

The Leather Archives S&M Museum is organized by, quite possibly, the most meticulous BDSM-loving, fetishists on the planet. The leather culture curators have been busy preserving the history of BDSM, leather kink, and fetish lifestyles, and titillating Chicagoans with their collection of naughty bits and bobs for years. 

The museum doesn't stop at leather, however. They’re dedicated to preserving a vast array of sexual kinks, by way of their displays, antiques equipment, clothing, and unusual artifacts. Heck, the basement of the museum is a bonafide sex dungeon, equipped with a variety of antique spanking devices, leather displays, handcuffs, chains, all that stuff. 

They also have a library so meticulously maintained, it would make any cat-loving, grandma sweater wearing librarian drool. 

Most importantly, preservation is the focus at the museum. Founders Leslie Anderson and Chuck Renslow have tirelessly gone out of their way to protect the counterculture anyway that they can. Starting with their collections of vintage leather fetish clothing, rare art, writing, and historical record keeping. 

It’s a fascinating museum, perfect for anyone with a surface curiosity, or those with a deeper interest in the history of alternative kink and subculture in general.

The Leather Archives & Museum is a library, museum and archives pertaining to Leather, fetishism, sadomasochism, and alternative sexual practices. The geographic collection scope is worldwide and includes all sexual orientations and genders. The library collection contains published books, magazines, scholarly publications, films and electronic resources related to the subject matter. The museum collection contains original erotic art and artifacts from alternative sex organizations and individuals. The archival collection contains unpublished papers and records from notable activists, artists, businesses and organizations related to the subject matter.