Beyond Stonewall: Recognizing Historic and Cultural Sites in New York State Related to the LGBT Community

Despite the LGBT community being active as shapers of American culture and as the professional keepers of that heritage, there is a glaring irony in the near-total absence of historic sites of significance to and about the LGBT community. Of the over 90,000 sites listed on the National Register (NR), only seven are listed with LGBT connections. In New York City and New York State, no survey currently exists of sites associated with significant LGBT history. The lack of documentation has prevented effective advocacy, leaving potentially significant sites unappreciated and threatened, and preservation officials at a loss for criteria to evaluate sites for LGBT historic context and significance.

This session will discuss issues, strategies, and directions for documenting LGBT place-based history. Statewide panelists will discuss national LGBT documentation projects, new approaches for NR listings, and highlight the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project.

Conference sponsored by The Landmark Society of Western New York, in collaboration with Historic Albany Foundation, the Preservation League of New York State, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.