Est. 2022
Reinsulator is an archive of publications related to the hobby of insulator collecting. The collection contains titles like Crown Jewels, Rainbow Riders, Drip Points, and Cross Arms, plus a number of one-off DIY zines, guide, and books. These texts are a rich repository of histories, jokes, photos, price lists, ads, event announcements, and more which, in total, document the rise of an awesome, friendly, and research-driven community.
Selections from Reinsulator
There are over 800 publications in this archive, including a full run of Rainbow Riders Trading Post, and a majority of Crown Jewels of the Wire. If you would like to access more images, or arrange an in person viewing, please get in touch today.
UNBOUND 2025
RISD Unbound is an event celebrating artists’ books, zines, and experimental printed matter. OPEN was at Unbound 2025 to spread the gospel of insulator hobbyist zines. We had a fantastic time; there was a ton of interest in the archive. Thanks to all who came by and talked insulators, design, history, and collecting with us!
April 5, 2025, 11AM–5PM
RISD Fleet Library
15 Westminster Street
Providence, R.I. 02903
The 56th National Insulator Association
Convention, Show, and Sale
We’re getting ready to party! Come browse the archive and check out tons of amazing objects coming in from across the nation!
June 27-29, 2025
Best Western Royal Plaza
181 Boston Post Road West
Marlborough, MA 01752
More info in the NIA’s official packet, here.
Reinsulator’s First Pop-up Reading Room
On Saturday April 20, 2024, Reinsulator was on view in the Providence Public Library’s Special Collections Reading Room. Additionally, The Yankee Pole Cat Insulator Club loaned their photo archive so visitors could explore decades of community history.
Thank you to the following organizations for their support of Reinsulator. The Providence Public Library, Rhode Island Humanities, RISD’s Fleet Library, The National Insulator Association, and the Yankee Pole Cat Insulator Club.
