Minnesota Leather History

The Lenius / Bertke History Collection

History and stories are a passion for us at Twin Cities Leather. That’s why we’ve dedicated a wall of our space as the Lenius / Bertke History Wall—named for veteran leather columnist Steve Lenius and community photographer Andrew Bertke.

Through this wall, and the projects it inspires, we celebrate and preserve the history of Minnesota’s leather community—from early clubs and contests to everyday life and local legends. Each photo, poster, and display tells a part of the story still unfolding in our shared spaces, events, and friendships.

Explore the images, learn about the people behind them, and help us keep our collective history alive.

✨ New November 2025 ✨

Minnesota Leather History Photo Collection

Select photographs from Minnesota’s leather communities, 1972 – 2025


Created by Andrew Bertke · part of our ongoing Lenius/Bertke History Collection projects

Five decades. Countless stories.

This online companion to our exhibit traces local leather life—people, places, contests, clubs, and everyday moments—drawn from community photo albums and private collections. It’s a living archive built by and for the community, spotlighting the faces, friendships, craft, and care that have shaped Minnesota’s leather scene since 1972.

Click each poster to get a closer look:

Minnesota Leather in the 1970s poster Minnesota Leather in the 1980s poster Minnesota Leather in the 1990s poster Minnesota Leather in the 2000s poster Minnesota Leather in the 2010s poster Minnesota Leather in the 2020s poster


Why some years are missing

The Atons’ albums were our starting point, and there are visible gaps in the late 1980s and early 1990s—years when our club and the wider community endured profound losses during the AIDS crisis. Those absences matter. They’re part of the history we’re committed to honoring and, where possible, rebuilding.

Community acknowledgments

This collection exists thanks to those who kept, shared, and safeguarded our history.

  • Atons of Minneapolis: Club photo albums that anchor the early decades.

  • Knights of Leather: Generous access to club archives—deep thanks to Russ (founding member), PJ, and Vicky for safeguarding essential chapters.

  • Growler Pace: Contributions that strengthened the Atons’ albums.

  • Steve Lenius: Extensive documentation from the 1990s–2010s.

  • Andrew Bertke: capturing photos of the community from the mid-2000s to the present.