Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies

The Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection is an LGBTQ archive at the University of Minnesota Libraries containing over 30,000 items. The collection includes books, films, artwork, textiles, and three-dimensional objects that visitors can examine in a dedicated reading room.

The archive grew from Jean-Nickolaus Tretter's personal collecting efforts that started in the 1950s and gradually expanded in scope. It became an official repository at the University of Minnesota in 2001, growing into the largest LGBTQ archive in the Midwest.

The collection holds materials from numerous LGBTQ organizations and community groups, reflecting how these communities documented their own stories and work. The archive shows the range of voices and movements that shaped queer life in North America over decades.

Visitors must schedule an appointment to access the reading room and examine materials. It is helpful to contact the library in advance to confirm access arrangements and learn what types of materials are available to view.

The archive houses the Transgender Oral History Project, which contains over 200 recorded interviews from trans individuals. These interviews capture personal stories and experiences from across the United States in the voices of those who lived them.

Location: Minneapolis

Inception: 2001

Address: Elmer L. Andersen Library, 222 21st Avenue South, Suite 111, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Website: https://lib.umn.edu/tretter

GPS coordinates: 44.97315,-93.24305

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:27