Queer Capitol Hill: a Historic Walking Tour

Authors:

• Michael Langberg, Museology Graduate Program
• Chair: Lane Eagles
• Laurie Marhoefer
• Jeff Murdock

Contact the authors

Abstract:

Queer Capitol Hill: a Historic Walking Tour is a project composed of a one-hour in-person walking tour and an interactive online map adaptation featuring photographs and details about the history that is hidden all around us. The tour seeks to promote awareness, education, and appreciation of queer history while fostering a sense of pride and belonging among all. The project design included two main facets: historical content and logistical considerations. The content featured an overarching narrative that helped guests connect the stories to a broader framework centered around the question: What makes a queer neighborhood? The route was designed to maximize proximity to historic locations while ensuring a low-impact walk that is accessible to people of various ability levels. The locations were then tied to the broader narrative revealing how queer communities are made up of people, safe social spaces, access to health care, political organization, and memory. By telling these stories, we can better recognize, normalize, and celebrate queerness in the world at large. Museums and places of informal education are uniquely situated to provide programming surrounding queer history and queer issues more broadly. With identity being such a major part of the learning experience, we can provide powerful and insightful programming to better understand the nuances of the past. The stories we tell can reveal so much about who we are and how we see ourselves, both who we are and who we can be. By cultivating a richer understanding of the past, we gain new perspectives that can shift how we imagine the future. Use the following link to access the online map and experience Queer Capitol Hill: a Historic Walking Tour for yourself! https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0c93fc3882d84b7c89a1228369de7679

Poster:

Download a copy of the project poster

Project Deliverable:

Queer Capital Hill: a Historic Walking Tour

Video Presentation