LGBT individuals and families are increasingly visible in popular culture and local communities; their struggles for equality appear regularly in news media. If history museums and historic sites are to be inclusive and relevant, they must begin incorporating this community into their interpretation. Interpreting LGBT History at Museums and Historic Sites is straightforward, accessible guidebook for museum and history professionals as they embark on such worthy efforts.
This book features:
An examination of queer history in the United States. The rapid rate at which queer topics have entered the mainstream could conceivably give the impression that LGBT people have only quite recently begun to contribute to United States culture and this misconception ignores a rich history. A brief overview of significant events in LGBT history highlights variant sexuality and gender in U.S. history, from colonization to the first decades of the twenty-first century.
Case studies on the inclusion and telling of LGBT history. These chapters detail how major institutions, such as the Chicago History Museum, have brought this topic to light in their interpretation.
An extensive bibliography and reading list. LGBT history is a fascinating story, and the limited space in this volume can hardly do it justice. These features are provided to guide readers to more detailed information about the contributions of LGBT people to U.S. history and culture.
This guide complements efforts to make museums and historic sites more inclusive, so they may tell a richer story for all people.
Susan Ferentinos is a public history researcher, writer, and consultant based in Bloomington, Indiana, where she specializes in historical project management and using the past to create community. She has lectured widely on the topic of interpreting LGBT history and recently served on the planning team for the National Park Service Women’s History Initiative. Dr. Ferentinos holds a Ph.D. in U.S. history with a focus on the history of gender and sexuality and a Master of Library Science with a concentration in special collections, both from Indiana University. She has served on the Board of the National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites and the Leadership Development Committee of the American Association for State and Local History.
Table of Contents
SECTION I: INTRODUCTION Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: A Pep Talk for the Faint of Heart SECTION II: HISTORICAL OVERVIEW Chapter 3: Approaching LGBT History Chapter 4: “The Abominable Sin”: European Contact to the Late-Nineteenth Century Chapter 5: Creating Communities: Late-Nineteenth Century to the Mid-1960s Chapter 6: We’re Here, We’re Queer, Get Used to It: Mid-1960s to United States v. Windsor (2013) Chapter 7: History Coda: What A Strange Year It’s Been SECTION III: INTERPRETING LGBT HISTORY Chapter 8: Trends in LGBT Historical Interpretation Chapter 9: Case Study—Displaying Queer History at the Chicago History Museum: Lessons from the Curators of Out in Chicago Jill Austin and Jennifer Brier Chapter 10: Case Study—The Varied Telling of Queer History at Historic New England Sites Kenneth C. Turino Chapter 11: Case Study—Interpreting for the Next Generation: The Summer History Immersion Program (Minnesota) Kyle Parsons and Stewart Van Cleve Chapter 12: Issues to Consider When Interpreting LGBT History Chapter 13: Conclusion: Some Suggestions APPENDIXES Appendix 1: Timeline of Key Events in LGBT United States History Appendix 2: Recommended Reading Appendix 3: Bibliography About the Authors
