'Up Against the Wall': Berkeley posters from the 1960s and '70s on display

By Kristin Bender

BERKELEY — If you didn’t live through the 1960s and ’70s, but want a glimpse into free love, psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll and the civil rights movement, there are more than three dozen political, music and culture posters on display at the Berkeley Historical Society ready to take you back in time.

When Michael Rossman, an activist in the Free Speech Movement, died last May, he left behind about 25,000 vibrant posters that promoted concerts and rallies, advertised political campaigns, and gave ink to social causes, such as the women’s movement, gay liberation and marijuana legalization

Rossman collected the posters starting in about 1977, carefully untacking them from light posts once an event was over, scanning eBay for them and scouring flea markets and thrift stores for a find.

Librarian archivist Lincoln Cushing, who was a longtime friend of Rossman’s, has had the posters in his Berkeley hills home since Rossman’s death, and, for the first time, has put 39 of them on display at the Berkeley Historical Society.

"The hard thing was figuring out what not to include," Cushing said. "It had to be by (someone in Berkeley) or about Berkeley to be in the show."

Posters span from 1965 to 1974 and cover a range of subjects.

"They are really taking a risk on this show," Cushing said. "This is not what people think of when they think of history."

The Berkeley Historical Society, like many such places, does have its share of musty catalogs and books, volunteers who have a sense of history because they actually lived through it, stacks of old photos and yellowing newspapers, and what some may consider dry exhibits.

But recently it has been hosting edgier shows with wide appeal.

Last month, it was home to "Berkeley, A City of Firsts," an exhibit about how the city has been a leader in innovations: The fire department pioneered the use of smoke blowers, the school district was the first to voluntarily integrate students and the city was the first to ban Styrofoam.

"It’s usually old history (here)," said society volunteer John Aronovici. "This is medium history. Everything that happens today is new history."

The show will run through Sept. 26. Cushing is trying to find a permanent home for the posters and is in discussions with the Oakland Museum and the Bancroft Library in Berkeley, officials from both venues said.

"There would certainly be a home for them if they were offered," said Steven Black, the head of acquisitions at the Bancroft Library. Oakland Museum of California spokeswoman Elizabeth Whipple said the art department is in discussions with Cushing about possibly housing the massive collection.

It was Rossman’s dying wish that the collection be accessible, remain in the Bay Area and stay intact. Rossman died of leukemia on May 12. He was 68.

Until there is a permanent home, the posters may only be seen in excerpts, such as at the society.

"It’s a perfect venue