LGBT History Project: LGBT-103 Charles McKee and Ron Sanders Collection

Number of Pages
2
Date
1975-2003
Charles McKee and Ron Sanders were partners for 22 years. The sign was unscrewed and given to them by a carpenter working on Wesley’s house at the corner of 3rd and North Streets in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Benedict A. “Wesley” Trautwein, a drag performer known as Francis Parker. Wesley was a part of the The Jewel Box Revue, a troupe of drag performers who traveled around the country from 1939 to 1969, which made many stops in Pennsylvania. After departing the Revue, he moved back to Harrisburg and continued preforming at local bars and clubs, such as The Neptune Lounge. Trautwein passed away in 2003.
General Subjects
Year
Origin
Gift of Charles McKee and Ron Sanders
Location
LGBT0193 Charles McKee and Ron Sanders

LGBT History Project: LGBT-097 Kirsten Backhaus-Smith Collection

Number of Pages
3
Date
1966-2020
Kirsten Backhaus-Smith, the daughter of Gunter Backhaus, served as the manager of The Loft and Tally Ho Tavern. The Tally-Ho Tavern, located at 201 W. Orange St., in Lancaster, Pennsylvania was bought by George Centini in 1966, but did not begin operating as a LGBTQ+ bar until 1968 when the Village Night Club closed. The bar became a target of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in mid-1980s as people began to complain about the noise and people gathering outside of the establishment. The bar and restaurant were sold by Centini in 1987 to Gunter Backhaus, a chef who had previously worked as the executive chef at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina and Host Farm Resort in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The tavern continued to operate throughout the 1990s, in 2008, the after-party for Lancaster’s inaugural Pride even took place at the Tally Ho. It remained in operation as a LGBTQ+ bar until 2020 with the onset of the COVID-
Year
Origin
Gift of Kirsten Backhaus-Smith
Location
LGBT-097 Kirsten Backhaus-Smith Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-111 Bradley "Brad" Gebhart Collection

Number of Pages
2
Date
2008-2023
Bradley “Brad” Gebhart, an active member in the arts scene in central Pennsylvania, serves on the board of the LGBT Center of Central PA as the Events Chair. In addition to his various roles in the community and professional work, Gebhart provided original cartoon drawings for the Central Voice.
Year
Origin
Gift of Bradley Gebhart
Collection
Location
LGBT-111 Bradley "Brad" Gebhart Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-106 Jeremy S. Boorum Collection

Number of Pages
7
Date
2006-2023
Jeremy S. Boorum was born in 1997 in Rochester, New York. After completing his undergraduate education at Elmira College, Boorum briefly relocated to Central Pennsylvania in 2019 to begin a master’s degree in American studies at Penn State Harrisburg, and later returned in 2021 to pursue a doctoral education in the same department. As a doctoral student, Boorum became involved in the local LGBTQ+ community. During the Spring 2022 semester, Boorum led efforts to relaunch Pride at Penn State Harrisburg, the campus’s LGBTQ+ student organization, and served as the group’s president. Following his work with Pride, Boorum taught an undergraduate course about LGBTQ+ identity, culture, and the arts. Additionally, Boorum contributed to the LGBT Center of Central PA History Project and worked with the project’s archival collections at Dickinson College for two summers. Boorum continues to serve on the project’s steering committee.
Year
Origin
Gift of Jeremy Boorum
Collection
Location
LGBT-106 Jeremy S. Boorum Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-114 Richard L. Schlegel Collection

Number of Pages
4
Date
1949-2006
Richard Lamar Schlegel was born in 1927 in Berrysburg, PA, a small borough in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. In 1949, he moved to Washington, D.C. where he pursued a master’s degree and later took a job in the federal government. His career ended in 1961 when he was fired for “immoral and indecent conduct” after being followed by secret investigators who investigated his personal life. Schlegel appealed his case, Schlegel vs. the United States, which went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court but was refused a hearing. He then returned to Pennsylvania where he worked for the Department of Highways and started a small chapter of the Janus Society in Harrisburg. This is believed to be the first gay organization created in central Pennsylvania.
Year
Origin
Gift of Robert ''Bob'' Deibler
Collection
Location
LGBT-114 Richard L. Schlegel Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2006

Number of Pages
5
Date
Fall/Winter 2006

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.”

This is a newsletter for the Central PA Womyn's Chorus for Fall/Winter 2006 which includes updates about the chorus, a list of upcoming events, a report from the fundraising committee, and a detachable form to support the chorus.

People
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Format
Origin
Gift of Marie DiFava
Collection
Location
LGBT-086 Marie DiFava Collection

Central PA Women's Music Festival Flyer - August 19, [2006]

Number of Pages
2
Date
August 19, [2006]

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This flyer promotes the Central Pennsylvania Women's Music Festival, held on August 19th, 2006 at Reservoir Park in Harrisburg. The festival featured Bobbi Carmitchell, Deenie Hamacher, Robin Chambers, Delta Jelly, the Central PA Womyn's Chorus, Natalie Darkes, Bumbada Women Drumming, N'Bonye Dancers, Janie Womack, Renee Bartholomew, Pat George, and an open mic session.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Patricia “Pat” Saunders
Collection
Location
LGBT-062 Patricia “Pat” Saunders Collection

Central PA Womyn's Chorus "Music in Our Mother’s House" Flyer - May 10, 2003

Number of Pages
3
Date
May 10, 2003
Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This flyer promotes the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2003 concert "Music in Our Mother's House," performed on May 10th at Unity Church in Enola.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Marie DiFava
Collection
Location
LGBT-086 Marie DiFava Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Brochure - circa 2006

Number of Pages
6
Date
circa 2006

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.”

This is a recruitment brochure from around 2006 encouraging people to either join or volunteer with the Central PA Womyn's Chorus.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Marie DiFava
Collection
Location
LGBT-086 Marie DiFava Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “A Winter’s Walk” Program - December 5, 2009

Number of Pages
13
Date
December 5, 2009

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.”

This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' winter 2009 concert "A Winter's Walk," performed on December 5th at the Unity Church of Harrisburg in Enola.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Healing Song” Program - June 5 & 7, 2009

Number of Pages
27
Date
June 5 and 7, 2009
Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2009 concert "Healing Song," a music performance honoring survivors of domestic violence and abuse. The concerts were performed on June 5th at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center at Harrisburg Area Community College and on June 7th at the Carlisle Theatre. Both performances featured special guest artists 3.12. Shalom House and the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg provided information about resources at the Harrisburg concert, and Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties and YWCA Carlisle provided information about resources at the Carlisle concert.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “God Bless This Family: A Christmas Concert” Program - December 13 & 14, 2008

Number of Pages
21
Date
December 13 and 14, 2008

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2008 concert "God Bless This Family: A Christmas Concert," performed on December 13th at Lakeside Lutheran Church in Harrisburg and on December 14th at Holy Trinity Lutheran in York Springs.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Cover the World with Love” Program - June 8, 2008

Number of Pages
29
Date
June 8, 2008
Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2008 concert "Cover the World with Love" on June 8th at Unity Church of Greater Harrisburg in Enola.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Holy Cow! We Can’t Stop Singing!” Program - November 10, 2007

Number of Pages
29
Date
November 10, 2007

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.”

This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2007 concert "Holy Cow! We Can't Stop Singing!," a joint performance with the Harrisburg Men's Chorus and Common Roads held on November 10th at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center of Harrisburg Area Community College. The event received support from the Jump Street/Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and from Equity for Gays and Lesbians of the Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Lebanon Area GLBT Groups Collaborative Kickoff” Program - October 25, 2007

Number of Pages
11
Date
October 25, 2007
Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the "Lebanon Area GLBT Groups Collaborative Kickoff" event, which was held in the Miller Chapel of Lebanon Valley College on October 25, 2007. The event featured music from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus and representatives from numerous state and local organizations, including Equality PA, Harrisburg City Council, PFLAG, Common Roads, Central Voice, LGBT Center Coalition, the Central Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and Equality Forum. Community activist Susan Wheeler also hosted an open forum. In addition to an event itinerary, the program contains information about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007, upcoming events of interest, a list of community resources, a student evaluation form, and a campus map.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “SAS: Sisters and Songwriters” Program - November 18, 2006

Number of Pages
29
Date
November 18, 2006

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2006 concert "SAS: Singers and Songwriters," a celebration of female singer-songwriters held at the Colonial Park United Church of Christ in Harrisburg on November 18th. The concert featured special guests Janie Womack and Bobbi Carmitchell and received support from the Jump Street/Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Women Spirit” Program - May 6, 2006

Number of Pages
25
Date
May 6, 2006
Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2006 concert "Woman Spirit," a celebration of women, music, and spirituality held at the Unity Church in Enola on May 6th. A post-concert reception was hosted by women of Unity Church.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “All that Jazz!” Program - November 12, 2005

Number of Pages
25
Date
November 12, 2005
Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2005 concert "All that Jazz!," performed at the Colonial Park United Church of Christ in Harrisburg on November 12th. Following the concert, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence hosted a reception.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Voices of Women” Program - April 23 & May 14, 2005

Number of Pages
45
Date
April 23 and May 14, 2005
Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2005 concert "Voices of Women," a performance which celebrated the songs of women musicians from around the world. The concerts featured special guest Dr. Lynn Gumert and were held on April 23th at the Lancaster Unitarian Universalist Church in Lancaster, at the invitation of the Interweave group, and May 14th at the Harrisburg Unitarian Universalist Church in Harrisburg. Post-concert receptions were hosted by the Interweave group in Lancaster and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Harrisburg.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Welcome to the Reunion” Program - December 4, 2004

Number of Pages
27
Date
December 4, 2004
Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2004 concert "Welcome to the Reunion," performed at Unity Church in Enola on December 4th. This concert celebrated the group's 10th anniversary. The Harrisburg Men's Chorus organized a reception which occurred following the concert.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “With Love from Us to You” Program - February 14 & March 27, 2004

Number of Pages
29
Date
February 14 and March 27, 2004
Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' winter 2004 concert "With Love from Us to You," performed on February 14th at Faith United Church of Christ in New Cumberland and March 27th at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “United We Sing” Program - August 9, 2003

Number of Pages
5
Date
August 9, 2003

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.”

This event program is from an August 2003 concert at the Metropolitan Community Church of the Spirit featuring the MCC Gospel Choir, the Central PA Womyn's Chorus, and the newly created Central Pennsylvania Men's Chorus.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Music in Our Mother’s House” Program - May 10, 2003

Number of Pages
25
Date
May 10, 2003
Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2003 concert "Music in Our Mother's House," a celebration of motherhood and family at the Unity Church in Enola.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Wintersong” Program - November 23, 2002

Number of Pages
17
Date
November 23, 2002

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.”

This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2002 concert "Wintersong" at the Unity Center for Spiritual Growth in Enola. This concert performance was dedicated to chorus founder Donna Gomboc.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Spring Concert “Singing for Our Lives” Program - April 27 & May 4, 2002

Number of Pages
33
Date
April 27 and May 4, 2002
Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.” This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2002 concert "Singing for Our Lives!," held at Harrisburg Unitarian Church on April 27 and York Unitarian Church on May 4 in honor of women and families impacted by breast cancer. The concert featured the Central PA debut performance of "Where I Live," a breast cancer oratorio by Diane Benjamin. The concert benefited the PA Breast Cancer Coalition and the Mautner Project, an organization which supports lesbians battling cancer. A reception after the concert featured "Words & Images of Healing," a display from the Expressive Arts Center in Mechanicsburg featuring artwork from nine women impacted by cancer.
Topics
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection