This collection documents the Kings & Queen Bar in Woonsocket, R.I. as well as the LGBT community in Rhode Island from the 1970s-early 2000s. The bulk of the collection includes photographs and videos, but additional clippings, event calendars and ephemera are included. Materials represent the bar as a gay social space and include events such as holiday parties, drag shows and fundraisers as well as events for the LGBT community sponsored by the bar including bi-annual picnics, roller skating nights and leagues for softball, bowling, flag football and darts.
Photograph of a group of three women standing inside the Kings & Queens. The women on the left and right are interacting as the woman standing in the middle of the group looks on. The woman on the left side of the image is pointing at the knee of the woman on the right. The woman on the right's knee is propped up on the chair. They both look towards the camera as they point at the woman on the right's knee.
Photograph of Kings & Queens patrons out on a picnic in the Lincoln Woods. This photo shows three friends seated by a cooler. They are all seated in fold out chairs and are posing together for the camera. The woman on the far left has her arm around the woman in the middle. Behind them, a minivan and other picnic-goers are present.
Photograph of a drag performance with three members. The drag queens are all wearing coordinated costumes with feather boas. The drag queen on the left side of the image is Lee Daniels, performed by Brian Perrico. The drag queen in the middle is Vicki Williams. Behind them, there is a wall covered in posters of various entertainers.
Photograph of three people seated at a table smiling and looking towards the camera. The man on the back left is smiling and looking at the camera. He has a drink placed on the table in front of him. To his right, another man is present with a drink on the table in front of him and is holding a cigarette. The third man is seated in front of them on the left side of the image also is holding a cigarette; he is partially obstructed. Leaf decorations are on the wall behind them. On the table, a small floral table ornament is present.
Photograph of three people wearing Halloween costumes inside the Kings & Queens. The photo shows three people from the shoulders up. The person on the left side of the image is wearing a white mask. The person in the middle of the image is wearing hat, sunglasses, a fake beard, and facial prosthetics. The rightmost person is in costume as the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz. Gold ribbons hanging from the ceiling are present in front of the group.
Photograph of Kings & Queens patrons out on a picnic in the Lincoln Woods. This photo shows three people at the picnic. The man on the left is standing and looking towards the left of the image. Behind him, two women are seated in fold out chairs.
Photograph of three men posing for the camera while standing inside the Kings and Queens. Behind them, other bar patrons are present. There are handmade posters on the wall advertising for upcoming events and drink specials.
Photograph of the Widow Norton, performed by José Sarria. This photograph shows The Widow Norton performing on stage. She is standing in front of a pink background with white stars. There are shadow silhouettes flanking her on the left and right. The Widow Norton is slightly turned towards the right side of the image with her gaze at the center of the image. She has her left hand on her hip and her right hand on top of a cane.
Photograph of the Widow Norton, performed by José Sarria. The Widow Norton is standing on a stage in the center of the image. Behind her a piano and pianist are present. The pianist is on the left side of the image and is laughing. Behind the piano, brass musicians are present. The Widow Norton has her left hand on her hip and is holding a microphone to her mouth with her right hand.
Photograph of a green handmade sign hanging on a mirror above the liquor at the bar. The sign reads, "Thanks for 15 years." There are green reflective streamers hanging from the ceiling and balloons taped to the mirror and walls. This sign celebrates the 15 year anniversary for the Kings & Queens.
Photograph of four bar patrons seated at the bar. One of the patrons, unidentified, is Terry "The Legend" Walsh. There are autumn and Halloween decorations on the walls and green reflective streamers hanging from the ceiling.
Photograph of Royal Court softball team member, Terry "TK" Kohanski, performing at the Kings & Queens. She is holding a fake guitar and standing at the microphone. Behind her, the wall is decorated with a painting of the Broadway and 42nd street sign.
Photograph of Royal Court softball team member, Terry "TK" Kohanski, performing at the Kings & Queens. She is holding a fake guitar and standing at the microphone. Behind her, the wall is decorated with a painting of the Broadway and 42nd street sign. Next to the sign, the wall reads, "Winter Garden."
Photograph of Royal Court softball team member, Terry "TK" Kohanski, performing at the Kings & Queens. She is standing at the microphone. Behind her, the wall is decorated with a painted signs that read "Winter Garden," "Illusion on Broadway," "10:00 pm Jan 25th," "Radio City." The photograph is taken from behind the audience.
Photograph of Tammy Kaskey seated in the passenger side of a car in a parking lot. She is turned towards the camera and holding a pen in her right hand. Behind her, another parked car is present.
Photograph of a Tammy Brown standing inside the roller rink. This is a candid photo with Tammy looking off to the right side of the image with her hands in her pockets.
Photograph of Tammy Brown roller skating inside of a roller rink. This is a candid photo that shows Tammy skating with her hands in her pockets looking away from the camera.
Photograph of performer, Sylvia. This is Sylvia's performer portrait. This headshot shows Sylvia from the shoulders up. She is smiling and looking towards the right side of the image.
Photograph of performer, Sylvia. This is Sylvia's performer portrait. This is a full-body shot. Sylvia is center to the camera looking towards the right side of the image. She has her hands on her hips.
Photograph of former Kings & Queens owner, Rita Paux (left side of the image), seated next to a woman on the right side of the image named Sweet Beth. The women are seated close looking in each other's eyes.
Photograph of a group inside the Kings & Queens during a 1981 New Year's Eve Party. Sue Tannacio is wearing a tuxedo; the other at the table are unidentified. This is a candid photo of the group of four. The three women on the left side of the image are smiling as they look towards the right side of the image. The woman at the end of the table is leaning off camera towards the right side of the image.
Photograph of Kings & Queens bar patrons, Sue Tannaceio (L) and Yitska (R). Sue is wearing a tuxedo and has her arm around Yitska. Yitska is wearing a red plastic lei and a "Happy New Year" headband. They are both smiling and looking at the camera.
Photograph of Kings & Queens patron, Sue Tanaccio, seated at a table inside the Kings & Queens. Sue is centered towards the camera and is slightly turned towards the right side of the image, looking towards the right. The back of an unknown person's head is in the center foreground, slightly obscuring Sue's body. There are unknown patrons seated at various tables in the foreground and background. There are green and yellow streamers decorating the walls and hanging from the ceiling. Flower arrangements are present on the tables.
Photograph of drag queen, Mr. Jennifer Holliday, performed by Steven Abrams at the Kings and Queens. She is mid-performance and is wearing a sequin blue gown. Behind her, reflective silver streamers are hanging as the backdrop.
Photograph of an unidentified drag queen Performing at the Kings & Queens. She is performing in front of a wall covered in posters. The photograph is taken from the perspective of the audience.
Photograph of the Royal Court softball team waving at the camera while standing in front of the Busch Gardens Old Country sign. The group is posed as they wave at the camera.
Photograph of women playing softball in the snow. This photo shows two women on the ground. One appears to be reaching towards a base and the other appears to be tapping her out.