Rockland Palace Hamilton Lodge Ball 1928 | Harlem LGBTQ History Heritage T-Shirt

Rockland Palace Hamilton Lodge Ball 1928 | Harlem LGBTQ History Heritage T-Shirt

Before Stonewall. Before modern ballroom houses. Before the language of Pride became familiar, Harlem was already home to extraordinary expressions of queer identity, elegance, and community.

At 280 West 155th Street in New York City, Rockland Palace became one of the legendary settings associated with the Hamilton Lodge Ball.

Organized by Hamilton Lodge No. 710 of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, the masquerade tradition began in 1869 and reached extraordinary popularity during the Harlem Renaissance.

By the 1920s and 1930s, these elaborate gatherings attracted thousands of participants and spectators. Fashion, performance, pageantry, and gender expression transformed the ballroom into a remarkable space of visibility.

For many Black LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, such gatherings offered opportunities for creative expression and community at a time when public acceptance was limited.

The Front Design — The Hamilton Lodge Ball

Inspired by the elegance of 1920s theatrical programs, the front artwork features an elaborate Art Deco composition surrounding a formally dressed Black couple dancing beneath the words ROCKLAND PALACE.

Geometric ornament, stepped borders, warm antique gold, and deep oxblood red evoke the visual culture of the Harlem Renaissance.

The lower inscription commemorates THE HAMILTON LODGE BALL, connecting the design to one of New York's most celebrated early masquerade traditions.

The Back Design — Scene of Splendor

The larger companion graphic transforms the spirit of the Hamilton Lodge Ball into an ornate Art Deco commemorative poster.

Beneath the name ROCKLAND PALACE, the design features the year 1928, the historical address 280 West 155th Street, and a stylized ballroom scene celebrating elegance and self-expression.

The inscription “SCENE OF SPLENDOR” recalls language used in historical coverage of the ball.

The words ELEGANCE · EXPRESSION · COMMUNITY summarize the values this design seeks to honor.

The year 1928 represents the venue's early Rockland Palace era; the artwork is not a reproduction of a verified event poster from that year.

Why This Design Matters

• Commemorates Rockland Palace and the Hamilton Lodge Ball.
• Celebrates Black LGBTQ+ history and Harlem Renaissance nightlife.
• Features the documented historical address at 280 West 155th Street.
• Includes two coordinated, original Art Deco-inspired illustrations.
• Honors the creativity, fashion, and gender expression associated with early masquerade balls.
• Combines collectible heritage design with wearable historical storytelling.
• Part of the Walt & Pete® Historic Gay Bars Collection.

A Note on Historical Interpretation

The people, costumes, and ballroom scenes depicted in these graphics are original artistic interpretations. They do not reproduce identified historical attendees or authenticated Rockland Palace advertisements.

THE SHIRT — AS COLOUR 5082 HEAVY FADED TEE

This design is printed on the AS Colour 5082, a substantial heavyweight T-shirt selected for its vintage character and structured, contemporary silhouette. Made from heavyweight carded cotton, it has the weight and presence of a favorite concert or heritage shirt designed to become more personal with wear.

• Heavyweight 7.1 oz fabric
• 100% carded cotton
• Boxy, oversized fit
• Garment-dyed for a softly faded, lived-in appearance
• Durable construction
• Tear-away label

FIT

The AS Colour 5082 is intentionally boxy and oversized. Choose your usual size for the intended relaxed silhouette. Consider sizing down if you prefer a closer, more traditional fit. Please consult the size chart before ordering.

GARMENT-DYED CHARACTER

Each shirt is dyed after construction, creating subtle fading around seams and edges. Natural variations in shade, fading, and color distribution are part of the garment’s vintage character and make every shirt slightly unique. These variations are intentional and are not considered defects.

CARE

Wash separately before wearing. Wash inside out with similar colors using cold water. Because the garment is pigment-dyed, some color transfer may occur during the first few washes. Do not bleach. Tumble dry on low or hang dry when possible. Do not iron directly over the printed artwork.

EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY

Product information: AS Colour 5082, two year warranty in the EU and Northern Ireland

Warnings, Hazard: For adults

Care instructions: Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), Non-chlorine: bleach as needed, Tumble dry: low heat, Iron, steam or dry: low heat, Do not dryclean