In spring 2022, graduate students at the University of Chicago participating in the Public History Practicum at the University of Chicago collaborated with the Chicago Brewseum to create a digital archive of contemporary LGBTQ+-owned breweries in the U.S. and LGBTQ+ bars and social spaces in Chicago. Through interviews and local archival research, the project engages bar and brewery owners as well as academics to document the histories of LGBTQ+-owned businesses and breweries, especially those owned and operated by women and brewers and bar owners of color.

The project, which encompasses interview transcripts, a historical map of Chicago-area LGBTQ+ bars and social spaces, and a curatorial guide for future donations to the collection, endeavors to amplify queer voices in the larger history of beer culture and brewing. The students involved in the project discuss the ongoing initiative and its future research directions.

Roy Kimmey completed a doctorate in History at the University of Chicago in 2022 and currently serves as a postdoctoral Teaching Fellow in the Social Sciences. While Roy is new to brewing and the Chicago Brewseum, he brings to this project past experience as an archivist and researcher in collections in Europe and the U.S.

Anna Winn recently completed her master’s degree in the MA Program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS) at the University of Chicago.

Kyle Wynter-Stoner completed his doctorate in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. He currently lives in Detroit and works at the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services.