Ever wanted to see a skateboard signed by famous transgender activist Leslie Feinberg? How about a rare book on human sexuality that was saved from a Nazi bonfire in the 1930’s? This weekend, you’ll have your chance, at an open house celebrating the 10th anniversary of a landmark donation of LGBT historical documents and artifacts to the University of Minnesota in the Andersen Library. The open house is accompanied by an exhibition of material from the archive running through February 5th. The archive, known as the Jean-Nikolaus Tretter Collection, after its long-time curator, has grown over the years to become one of the nation’s biggest collections of its kind in the world.

“I would say that collecting is [Tretter’s] activism,” Arvid Nelsen told TheColu.mn in an interview on Wednesday. “With the collection, we’re preserving pieces that would otherwise get marignalized and destroyed…by members of the community who might ask ‘who cares about this flier.’ We may be saving the only evidence of a group’s actions or of a person’s existence.”

Nelsen, the head of the library’s Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts section, said that he hoped the open house and accompanying exhibition would help keep people from seeing the Collection as “a bunch of things gathering dust.”

“Many [LGBTQA] students come to campus looking for a sense of community and a sense of identity,” he said. “The collection can show us that we’re not alone in the arc of history.”

Asked if he feels offended by curiosity-seekers who wanted to come just to see artifacts like the autographed skateboard, Nelsen welcomed curiosity-seekers.

“We’re not just here to serve academics,” he said. “One of the things about special collections is that they’re a physical…connection to the past.”

“Frankly, I hope they come for those reasons,” Nelsen said.

The open house will run from 11 AM to 2 PM, and will feature:

Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra Chamber Group performing from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

KARE 11 News reporter Jana Shortal will present from 12:30-1 p.m.

Calliope Women’s Chorus will perform from 1-1:30 p.m.

Guided tours of Anderson Library archival caverns throughout open house

Collection of items for the Tretter Time Capsule (see z.umn.edu/tretterevents for contribution guidelines)

A video recording station for individuals to share memories, stories and insights