Interpreting LGBT History at Museums and Historic Sites

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.

• SECTION I: INTRODUCTIONChapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: A Pep Talk for the Faint of HeartSECTION II: HISTORICAL OVERVIEWChapter 3: Approaching LGBT HistoryChapter 4: “The Abominable Sin”: European Contact to the Late-Nineteenth CenturyChapter 5: Creating Communities: Late-Nineteenth Century to the Mid-1960sChapter 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 BeenSECTION III: INTERPRETING LGBT HISTORYChapter 8: Trends in LGBT Historical InterpretationChapter 9: Case Study—Displaying Queer History at the Chicago History Museum:Lessons from the Curators of Out in ChicagoJill Austin and Jennifer BrierChapter 10: Case Study—The Varied Telling of Queer History at Historic New England SitesKenneth C. TurinoChapter 11: Case Study—Interpreting for the Next Generation: The Summer History Immersion Program (Minnesota)Kyle Parsons and Stewart Van CleveChapter 12: Issues to Consider When Interpreting LGBT HistoryChapter 13: Conclusion: Some SuggestionsAPPENDIXESAppendix 1: Timeline of Key Events in LGBT United States HistoryAppendix 2: Recommended ReadingAppendix 3: BibliographyAbout the Authors

Timely and well-crafted, Interpreting LGBT History at Museums and Historic Sites is a must-read not only for professionals working with collections in museums, archives, libraries, and other cultural heritage institutions, but also for anyone in the communities they seek to engage. Ferentinos provides a convincing rationale for why LGBT history and interpretation matters, as well as a clear framework for how it can – and should – be shared. Readers will find much to consider, reference, and, perhaps more importantly, apply.