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The GLBT History Museum

(20 Ratings)
From the archives

The nation's first museum dedicated to queer history, located among the shops and bars of the Castro, find objects, photographs, documents and video reflecting 100 years of LGBTQ life.



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Reviews

DharmaGettin
DharmaGettin
Over a year ago

Must Revisit From Time To Time

Our LGBTQI history is so rich, juicy, passionate, important, and necessary! I make it a point to revisit this amazing space as often as I can. Their exhibits are great. Their staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. And their admission is still affordable! Not to mention their amazing location, smack dab in the center of the gayborhood! Make sure to visit the GLBT History Museum at least 4 times a year. Don't let our history slip away into forgotten-ness-land.


LonelyAsian
LonelyAsian
Over a year ago

Small museum with wonderful potential

This is probably the smallest museum I have ever visited. The museum is great if you want to learn a little bit about the LGBT community. The memorabilia is not bad at all, but some of them are just way too many. If the curator cuts down some of the memorabilia such as the matchbooks and the sex toys, he can put more historical events in their place. I feel that the museum has a potential to be something wonderful if they have more things to show. The admission ticket is $5.00 which is not expensive, and it supports the community and the museum.


oscarraymundo
oscarraymundo
Over a year ago

Much needed

Although it's underwhelming as a museum, it's great to see space in the Castro that highlights queer culture and not just another place for underage kids from Fremont to come get sloshed and vomit on the sidewalk... Now it's up to the community to stuff it with treasures and keep it open this time.


noraasllim
noraasllim
Over a year ago

long way to go

I visited this space last night and was really let down by what I saw. As a history museum, it fails on many levels. So many aspects of our history are under represented, such as Compton's Cafeteria riots, Stonewall, and the impact of the AIDS epidemic. A museum such as this should feel obligated to present the entirety of GLBT history, and really question the educational value of it's exhibits. Gay youth and the uneducated deserve more information, not a series of old matchbooks, a box of sex toys, and and old map of cruising locations. Now that the doors are open it is time for this place to reach out to larger institutions to beef up its collection and make it more meaningful. I was interested in the slideshow of historic candid photos and the oral histories, but again these things need to be expanded beyond a single screen and one pair of headphones. A great deal more information is needed on why the objects they have displayed are there. Congrats on existing, but I learned almost nothing from my experience here and honestly I found it to be a bit embarrassing.


MattTwoTee
MattTwoTee first review First to Review
Over a year ago

Great for the Movement

I was so thrilled that the LGBT Historical Society reopened their San Francisco museum in the Castro last night! It is awesome that there is a place where travelers and locals alike can go to learn and see the roots of the LGBT movement, and how they have grown into an amazing present and future!


Other LGBTQ Heritage Sites in San Francisco

National AIDS Memorial Grove

Healing sanctuary for those impacted by HIV/AIDS
Haight-Ashbury

Pink Triangle Park

Dedication to the LGBT community that was lost during the Nazi regime.
The Castro

Harvey Milk Plaza

Honor Harvey Milk's charismatic spirit and legacy
The Castro

Castro Rainbow Crosswalk

Walk with pride on San Fran's rainbow crosswalks
The Castro

San Francisco LGBT Community Center

Serving the entire community since 1993
Hayes Valley

Restaurants in The Castro

Wasabi Bistro

Reasonably priced sushi
The Castro

La Tortilla

Castro's go-to taqueria
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Starbucks

Bearbucks
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The Sausage Factory

Meaty Italian
The Castro

Cafe Mystique

Castro eatery with a European flair
The Castro

Fable

Popular dinner and brunch spot
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Takara Sushi

Sushi on the Go
The Castro

Castro Tarts

Intimate family business
The Castro

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