Don Paulson papers - Special Collections, UW Libraries

Archival Finding Aids Home Page

Biographical Note

Arrangement

Inventory [ + ]

Don Paulson Papers, 1954-2002 (Accession No. 5354-001)

Don Paulson papers, 1944-2003, undated (Accession No. 5354-002)

Don Paulson papers, circa 1950-2003 (Accession No. 5354-003)

Don Paulson Papers, 1939-2006 (Accession No. 5354-004)

Don Paulson papers, circa 1970-1999 (Accession No. 5354-005)

Subject Terms

Guide to the Don Paulson Papers
1939-2006

Creator:	Paulson, Don, creator
Title:	Don Paulson papers
Date Span:	1939-2006
Quantity:	27.66 cubic feet (54 boxes, 2 oversize folders, 1 vertical file)
Accession No.:	5354
Languages:	Collection materials are in English.

Biographical Note

Don Paulson, an artist and author in the greater Seattle area, was born in Seattle in 1933. Paulson attended Auburn High School, then served for two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He lived in New York and Los Angeles for short periods but returned to Seattle in 1966 and devoted himself to painting. Paulson, a contributor to the Seattle Gay News, formed a friendship with Skippy LaRue, whose photo and clipping collection on female impersonators led Paulson to write about the topic. Specifically interested in female impersonators who performed at the Garden of Allah nightclub in Seattle, he collaborated with University of Washington communications professor Roger Simpson on the book, An Evening at the Garden of Allah: A Gay Cabaret in Seattle (Columbia University Press, 1996), for which they won the Governor's Writers Award in 1997. Paulson used the nickname "Dawn" among his friends, and he used "Whitey Boom" as an alias in connection with painting.

Paulson was a member of Black and White Men Together, a gay interracial organization committed to fostering supportive environments and overcoming racial and cultural barriers. BWMT/Seattle participated in educational, political, cultural, and social activities as a means of addressing racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, and heterosexism in the community.

Arrangement

Arranged into 5 accessions:

Accession no. 5354-001, Don Paulson papers, 1954-2002
Accession no. 5354-002, Don Paulson papers, 1944-2003, undated
Accession no. 5354-003, Don Paulson papers, 1950-2003
Accession no. 5354-004, Don Paulson papers, 1939-2006
Accession no. 5354-005, Don Paulson papers, 1970-1999

Inventory

Accession No. 5354-001

Don Paulson Papers, 1954-2002

7.63 cubic ft. (11 boxes, 1 oversize folder)

Physical Access

Includes 12-inch, 33 1/3 rpm long-playing (LP) records; compact discs, audio cassettes; and 1/2-inch, VHS videocassettes.

Scope and Content

The Paulson papers are comprised of textual materials, sound recordings, videocassettes, programs, handbills, and sheet music relating to Paulson's life as an artist in the Seattle area, his friendships with other gay men, and his research on female impersonators, notably those who performed at the Seattle cabaret, the Garden of Allah, in the 1950s. The collection is organized into three subgroups. The Evening at the Garden of Allah subgroup contains incoming letters, subject files, clippings, handbills, programs, ephemera, audio interviews with performers and patrons of the theater, miscellaneous audio and video recordings, and other material relating to the research and publicity for the 1996 book, An Evening at the Garden of Allah: A Gay Cabaret in Seattle. Most of the informants that Paulson interviewed are no longer living. Correspondents include Billy DeVoe and Harvey W. Goodwin. Interviewees include Harvey Lee, Billy DeVoe, and Robin Raye.

Materials in the Seattle Black and White Men Together (BWMT) subgroup include notes and minutes from Don Paulson's term as secretary, newsletters and promotional materials for BWMT, and regional/national convention materials. The Personal Papers subgroup includes biographical information, correspondence, posters, drawings, notes, clippings, and ephemera. Skippy LaRue's clipping collection about female impersonators is also included. Correspondents include Bruce Pitcairn Strachan, Joel Salsman, Rev. Keith D. Davis, John Franklin Koenig, Dennis Meurer, Tim S. Nolan, Terry Nordyke, Diane Scott, Daryl Stipek, and Elizabeth Wight.

Restrictions on Access

The collection is open to the public.

Archival copies of the sound recordings are not available for listening.

Restrictions on Use

Paulson's and Skippy LaRue's rights were transferred to the University of Washington Libraries. Interviews for the book, An Evening in the Garden of Allah may be copied and quoted.

Alternate Forms Available

Listening copies made from the archival originals are available for reference purposes.

Acquisition Info

Gift of Don Paulson, June 16, 2003.

Processing Info

Processing completed in 2004.

Most of the interviews originally recorded on audio cassettes were copied to CD by Michael Monteleone, and preservation CD copies of these were created by the University of Washington Music Library.

The photographs were relocated to the Don Paulson-Skippy LaRue Photograph Collection, PH Coll. 673, in the division in 2004.

Other Finding Aids

The visual materials that form part of this collection are described and indexed in A Preliminary Guide to the Don Paulson-Skippy LaRue Photograph Collection, available in the Division.

Box/Folder

Date

An Evening at the Garden of Allah

Incoming Letters

1989-2002

1/1

Bachelor, Kenneth

1993-1996

1/2-3

Columbia University Press

1992-2002

1/4

DeVoe, Billy

1993-1997

General Notes: Also known as Dusin, Joseph W.

1/5

Goodwin, Harvey Wy

1990-1992

1/6

Nielson, Sister Paula

1990-1994

1/7

Strachan, Bruce

1989

1/8-13

Miscellaneous, A-Z

1989-2000, undated

1/14

Unidentified

1990-1995

1/15

Outgoing Letters

1991-1995

Interviews (Listening copies)

1989-1995

Physical/Technical Access: Compact discs.

Box

Case

10

1

Arbicore, Richard

1989

10

2

B.B.

1989

10

3

Bates, Jim

1993

10

4

Bee, Kenny

1993

10

49

Begin

undated

Scope and Content: Concerning Ray Bourbon.

10

5

Blair, Stephen R.

1993

10

6

Brown, Dorothy

undated

10

8

Brown, Wanda Leslie

1989

10

36

Buerge, Ole

undated

10

32

Calley, Jimmy

1989

10

9

Carpervie, John

1990

10

10

Carter, Bob

1991

10

11

Chew, Jimmy

1989

10

19

Dempsy, Mark

undated

10

12

DeVoe, Billy

1990

10

16

Donnelly, Chet

1989

10

17

Dorneck, Dee

1993

10

18

Drake, Kim

1993

10

20

Estelle, Countess

1989

General Notes: Also known as Herb Wolky.

10

2

Freeman, Dri

1993

10

22

Gerlach, Jim

1989

10

24

Gino

1993

10

7

Hanson, Hal

undated

10

25

Jacomi, Robey

1989

10

26

Kelsey, Rita

1989

10

27

Kemp, Jose

1995

10

28

Kempner, Jim

1993

10

30

King, Kitty

undated

10

31

Knutson, Norman

1990

10

15

LaRue, Skippy

1990

10

40

Lee, Harvey

1990

10

33

Leonard, Lee

undated

10

34

MacClaine, Bill

undated

10

35

Maser, Shirley

1990

10

38

McFerrson, Bob

1990

10

56

Miller, Ann

undated

10

39

Nass, Carmelita

1990

10

29

Parkins, Bill

1993

10

42

Plant, Bill

1989

10

13

Raye, Robin

1990

10

14

Reynolds, Ricky

1990

10

44

Ross, Gerry

1990

10

45

Star, Kitty

1992

10

37

Thomas, Mona

undated

10

57

Trent, Paula

undated

10

46

Vilma

1990

10

61

Whitehead, Mrs. Anderson

undated

10

47

Wholey, Denis

undated

10

53

Yentze, Audrey

1990

Interviews (Listening copies)

Physical/Technical Access: Audio cassettes.

9

59

Cordas, Jack

1989

9

62

Spencer, Walt

1990

9

63

Wells, Alex

undated

General Notes: [Also known as Jackie Star?]

8-9

Interviews (Archival copies)

Physical/Technical Access: Audio cassettes.

Restrictions on Use: Researchers must use listening copies on CD.

4

Interviews (Archival copies)

Physical/Technical Access: Compact discs.

Restrictions on Use: Researchers must use listening copies on CD.

Sound Recordings (Listening copies)

Physical/Technical Access: Compact discs.

10

52

Andy Warhol Auction

1988

10

51

India, etc.

undated

10

48

PBS Late Night

undated

10

50

Random TV Music

undated

10

55

Scandinavian Piece

undated

Sound Recordings (Listening copies)

Physical/Technical Access: Audio cassettes.

7

80

A Shot of Ray Bourbon

1997

7

65

Advertisement for Book Warming

1996

7

77

AIDS Test Should Be Outlawed

1996

7

75

AMA Conspiracies

1997

7

70

Anthony - Fight in Bar

undated

7

79

Bourbon, Ray, Around the World in 80 Ways

ca. 1950

7

78

Bourbon, Ray, Let Me Tell You About My Operation

ca. 1950

7

69

Conversation with Mark Dempsey

undated

7

64

Dan Savage Radio Show

undated

7

74

Fascism in Medicine

1994

7

72

Flirtations

undated

8

58

Girl's Night at South End Baths

undated

7

68

Mature Friends Talk

1998

7

73

New Faces of 1956

undated

7

76

Pluamorphic Pathologies

1994

8

60

South American Music and Star Music

undated

7

71

Talk of the Nation

2002

4

Sound Recordings (Archival copies)

Physical/Technical Access: Compact discs.

Restrictions on Use: Researchers must use the use listening copies on CD.

9

Sound Recordings (Archival copies)

Physical/Technical Access: Audio cassettes.

Restrictions on Use: Researchers must use the use listening copies on CD.

Long-playing (LP) Record Albums

Disc Recordings Box 3

Bourbon, Ray, Around the World in 80 Ways

ca. 1950

1 sound disc : analog, 33 1/3rpm, stereo. ; 12 in.

Disc Recordings Box 3

Bourbon, Ray, Don't Call Me Madam

ca. 1950

1 sound disc : analog, 33 1/3rpm, stereo. ; 12 in.

Disc Recordings Box 3

Bourbon, Ray, Let Me Tell You About My Operation

ca. 1950

1 sound disc : analog, 33 1/3rpm, stereo. ; 12 in.

Videocassette Recordings

7

Evening Magazine

1993

1 videocassette (VHS) ; 1/2 in.

7

Garden Variations

undated

1 videocassette (VHS) ; 1/2 in.

7

Reading/Book Party

1996

1 videocassette (VHS) ; 1/2 in.

Box/Folder

1/16

Interview Releases

1993

Box

5

Magazines

1926-1967

Box/Folder

1/17

Speeches and Writings

1996-2000

1/18

Conference on Outing Pacific Northwest History

1998

Publicity

1/19

Garden of Allah Stage Play

2000

1/20

Pride Foundation

1995

1/21-23

General

1990-2000

Box

5

General

1994

Box/Folder

1/24

Script: Garden of Allah Stage Play

1999

1/25

Notes

undated

1/26

Programs

1955-1993

1/27

Handbills

1958,1982-1991, undated

1/28

Bulletins from the Awareness of Life Church/Theo Light Society, Renton, Wash.

1989-1993

Box

5

Sheet Music

1912-1928

Box/Folder

1/29

Hotcha Hinton Dirty Joke Notebook

ca. 1950

Artifacts

Box

6

Garden of Allah Building Fragments

undated

11

Gloves

undated

Box/Folder

1/30

Promotional Button

undated

Subject Series

1/31

Goodwin, Harvey Wy

1990-1992

1/32

Governor's Writers Award

1996-1997

1/33

Herrero, Billy

1990

Phillips, George

Box

11

Gloves

1993

11

Clipping

1991

Box/Folder

1/34

Sing, Au

undated

1/35

Clippings

1954,1993-2000

Black and White Men Together (BWMT), Seattle, Wash.

1983-1991

1/36

Minutes and Agenda

1983-1986

1/37

Event Notes

1985-1986

Secretary's Notebook

1/38

Steering Committee

1985

1/39

Social Activities

1985

1/40

Treasury

1985

1/41

Calendar

1985

1/42

By-Laws

1983

1/43

Elections Committee

1985

1/44

Public Relations

undated

1/45

Prison Outreach

1985

1/46

Legalities

1985

1/47

Membership

undated

1/48

National Association

undated

Audio Cassettes

Box

Case

7

66

National Association Convention Speeches

1985

7

67

Radio Show

1985

Box/Folder

1/49

Writings of Others

1984-1987

1/50

Announcements

1985-1986

1/51

Programs

1985-1987

1/52

Forms and Surveys

undated

1/53

Mailing Lists

1986

1/54

Invitation

1985

Flyers

1/55

Black and White Men Together

1979-1987

1/56

Miscellaneous

1986, undated

Conventions

1/57

Pacific Coast Regional Network (in Seattle)

1984

2/1-2

Los Angeles BWMT

1985

2/3

Pacific Coast Regional Network

1986

2/4

New York City BWMT

1986

2/5

Calendars

1984-1986

Newsletters

2/6

Seattle BWMT

1984-1988

2/7

Other BWMT Chapters

1984-1988

2/8

National/International BWMT

1984-1985

2/9

Other Organizations

1984-1991

2/10

Autographed Leaflet

1986

2/11

Business Cards

undated

2/12

Memorabilia

undated

2/13

Clippings

1960-1990

Subject Series

Patterson, John

2/14

Miscellany

1984-1986

Box

Misc. Oversize Box 8

Autographed Poster OVERSIZE

1986

Box/Folder

2/15-16

Discrimination Response System (DRS)

1984-1986

Personal Papers

1961-2002

2/17

Biographical Features

1988

Incoming Letters

2/18

Davis, Keith Delane (Reverend)

1963-1984

2/19

Doyle, Philip John (P.J.)

1979-1988

2/20

Hagen, Carlos B.

1975-1978

2/21

Hanseroth, Fred and Bobbi

1969-1985

2/22

Koenig, John Franklin

1961-1981

2/23

Mahon, Constance (Connie)

1966

2/24-25

Meurer, Dennis

1988-2001

2/26-27

Nolan, Tim S. (Timothy Shawn)

1969-1973, undated

2/28

Nordyke, Terry (Terence)

1966-1994

2/29

Paulson, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan T.

1971-1985

2/30

Record, Leroy S.

1978-1986

2/31-36

Salsman, Joel

1963-1994, undated

2/37

Scott, Diane

1965-1978

2/38

Septon, Ronald

1971-1986

2/39-41

Stipek, Daryl

1968-1992

2/42-52

Strachan, Bruce Pitcarin

1970-1993, undated

Box

Misc. Oversize Box 8

Strachan, Bruce Pitcarin OVERSIZE

1977

Box/Folder

2/53

Wight, Elizabeth

1975-1980

3/1-27

Miscellaneous A-Z

undated

3/28-32

Invitations

1967-2001, undated

3/33

Greeting Cards

1964-1997

3/34

Bulk Mail

1966-1974, undated

3/35

Unidentified

1964-1994, undated

3/36

Outgoing Letters

1964-1980, undated

3/37-39

General Correspondence of Others, A-Z

undated

Box

Misc. Oversize Box 8

Posters OVERSIZE

1969, undated

Box/Folder

3/40

Drawing

1960

3/41

Notes

undated

Box

Case

7

81

Carlos Hagan, "Some Thoughts on Why One Becomes a Revolutionary"

ca. 1970

1 audio cassette

Box/Folder

3/42

Ephemera

undated

3/43

Clippings

1979

Accession No. 5354-002

Don Paulson papers, 1944-2003, undated

3.85 cubic feet (6 boxes and 1 oversize folder)

General Notes

Minimally processed accession

Scope and Content

Photographs, manuscripts, biographical material and other writings, notes, souvenir programs and other publications, 135 audio recordings on cassette tapes and CD, 5 VHS videocassette tapes, clippings, and ephemera.

Acquisition Info

Donor: Don Paulson, June 30, 2009

Accession No. 5354-003

Don Paulson papers, circa 1950-2003

6.08 cubic feet (10 boxes)

General Notes

Minimally processed accession

Scope and Content

These materials are primarily comprised of journals, research files on the Brownell Homestead, records and history of the Lux Sit and Dance light show, interviews of Quentin Crisp, binders and scrapbooks on Paulson's art career and research, and correspondence between Paulson and his family, as well as correspondence between Paulson and Anne Gould Hauberg. Ca. 1950-2003.

Acquisition Info

Donor: Don Paulson, March 13, 2006

Accession No. 5354-004

Don Paulson Papers, 1939-2006

3.31 cubic feet (3 boxes and one oversize folder)

Arrangement

Arranged into 3 series:

Biographical Materials
Research Files
Miscellaneous

Arrangement and folder titles retained from donor.

Scope and Content

Audio recordings on cassette tapes and LP, DVDs, VHS tapes, clippings, notes, biographical materials, photographic materials, and manuscripts.

Acquisition Info

Donor: Fay Bengston, September 26, 2011.

Box/Folder

Date

Biographical Materials

1/1

1950 Invader (yearbook)

1950

1/2

6th Infantry Division--G Company

1953

1/3

Army papers, etc.

n.d.

1/4

Buddies from the past

n.d.

1/5

Don Paulson on The Factory (DVD)

2006

1/6

Interview with Skippy LaRue (VHS)

n.d.

1/7

Ongoing Art Career

n.d.

1/8

Poetry

2000

1/9-10

School stuff

1941-1949

1/11

Slides

n.d.

1/12

Very early artwork of Don Paulson

1939-1949

1/13

Wood carving--book plate

1946

1/14

Army photographs

1953-1955

Research Files

2/1

Garden of Allah (DVD)

n.d.

2/2

Gossip about Seattle society (audio cassette)

2004

2/3-4

Keith Milton Rhinehart (Aquarian) Foundation

n.d.

2/5

Misc. Zerox photo's of the Garden of Allah

n.d.

2/6

The Outlaw

n.d.

2/7

Early Seattle gay bars--Pike Street Tavern (two audio LPs)

n.d.

2/8-9

Pioneer cabins

n.d.

2/10

Porn: 1960 anonymous cartoons

1960

2/11

Surveillance tape in office at the South End steam baths Seattle (VHS)

1998

2/12

Vintage porno

n. d.

2/13

Archeological site

n.d.

Archeological site

n.d.

2/14

Arlington Hotel-Archeological site

n.d.

2/15-17

Early Seattle gay bars

n.d.

Early Seattle gay bars

n.d.

3/1-5

Early Seattle gay bars

n.d.

Box

4

Early Seattle gay bars (audio cassettes)

n.d.

Box/Folder

3/6

Ideas for Seattle gay history

n.d.

3/7

The last burlesque house in Seattle: Rivoli Theater 1951-1958

n.d.

3/8-11

Madame Peabodies

n.d.

3/12

The Monastery

1980s

3/13-14

Seattle cruising places ca. 1930-1970

n.d.

Miscellaneous

Box

3/15

Decoration 1st Ave Peep Show

n.d.

3/16

Miscellaneous

n.d.

It's a Lon Mabon Christmas Carol, Charlie Brown

n.d.

Accession No. 5354-005

Don Paulson papers, circa 1970-1999

0.03 cubic feet (1 vertical file)

General Notes

Minimally processed accession

Scope and Content

Posters and ephemera relating to AIDS, drag queens, and the general GLBTQ community. Ephemera in vertical file includes programs, show announcements, newsletters from Sister Paula Ministries (Portland, Oregon), clippings, and souvenir booklet from the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle.

Acquisition Info

Donor: Don Paulson, donation date unknown

Processing Info

A large, oversize folder of posters was transferred to Visual Materials, January 2012.

Subject Terms

Personal Names:

Davis, Keith Delano.

DeVoe, Billy.

Goodwin, Harvey W.

Koenig, John Franklin, 1924-

LaRue, Skippy, collector.

Lee, Harvey.

Meurer, Dennis.

Nolan, Tim S. (Timothy Shawn)

Nordyke, Terry.

Paulson, Don--Archives.

Raye, Robin.

Salsman, Joel.

Scott, Diane.

Stipek, Daryl.

Strachan, Bruce Pitcairn.

Wight, Elizabeth.

Organizations:

BWMT/Seattle.

Garden of Allah (Cabaret : Seattle, Wash.)

Geographic Names:

Seattle (Wash.)--Social life and customs--20th century.

Subjects:

Female impersonators--Washington (State)--Seattle.

Female impersonators--Washington (State)--Seattle--Interviews.

Gay bars--Washington (State)--Seattle.

Gay clubs--Washington (State)--Seattle.

Gay men--Washington (State)--Seattle.

Gay men--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives.

Music-halls (Variety-theaters, cabarets, etc.)--Washington (State)--Seattle.

Genre Headings:

Interviews.

Sound recordings.

Videocassettes.

Titles:

Evening at the Garden of Allah: a gay cabaret in Seattle.

Last modified: April 27, 2012
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