E. Farrell Maddox at DJ booth, 1986

This collection contains materials such as photographic prints, ephemera, and vinyl records related to the LGBTQ+ establishments, Club Hippo and Club Mitchell, located in Baltimore, Maryland. The collection consists of five distinct series.

Series I: Club Hippo Photographs depicts scenes from 1979 to 2006 such as E. Farrell Maddox at the DJ booth; people on the dance floor; club owner Chuck Bowers; Club Hippo building exterior; performers such as Paul Lekakis, Suzanna Palmer, and the touring companies of “Mamma Mia!” and “Altar Boyz”.

Series II: Club Mitchell Photographs contains photos from 1988 to 1989 and include such as a bartender; singer Thelma Houston on stage and with E. Farrell Maddox (who peformed as a DJ at both Club Hippo and Club Mitchell); and stage and crowd scenes.

Series III: Autographed Headshots include the headshots of artists who performed at Club Hippo--such as Baltimore drag queen Divine, Boys Town Gang, and Lime--all addressed to Chuck Bowers or DJ E. Farrell Maddox. The headshots were originally part of a photo album but were later removed and individually cataloged. The items remain in the same order as they were in the album.

Series IV: Club Hippo Ephemera includes event materials such as an invitation to the 1986 Masquerade Ball Fall Funfest; a 2003 Miss Gay Maryland Pageant Program; a flyer for the 2005 Gay and Lesbian Community Center (now known as the Pride Center of Maryland) Second Annual Gala; and other undated coupons and tickets. Ephemera also includes promotional material such as postcards/rackcards; flyers; posters; a Club Hippo branded token; and nine prints-outs containing the biographies of Hippo performers. Additionally, there are two vinyl graphic signs for LGBTQ+ friendly clubs Atlantis and Numbers, also located in Baltimore.

Series V: Vinyl Records is comprised primarily of singles and promotional albums that represent some of the artists that performed live at Club Hippo. Records include Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and Vicki Sue Robinson’s “Turn the Beat Around” / “Hold Tight”. These records are for research use as artifacts, as MCHC is unable to provide audio access.