The History Project: Documenting GLBT Boston

To collect, preserve, and share the history of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender movement in Boston and New England.

The History Project — established in 1980 by a group of historians, activists and archivists — is the only group focused exclusively on preserving the history of Boston’s LGBT community, and on making that history accessible to future generations. This research and preservation is of paramount importance for the LGBT community, which is often excluded from history. In fact, some historians —whether deliberately or negligently— have taken steps to hide or obscure the nature of those contributions.

Since the documentation of the LGBT experience is fragmentary and scattered, it has remained largely inaccessible to researchers, educators, the general public, and even the gay community itself. Through its mission, THP seeks to provide an accurate portrayal of the contributions our community has made to the political, cultural and economic life of the region.

To this end, The History Project produces or participates in 8-12 events or projects per year. Our audience ranges from a few dozen people for a presentation at the Boston Center for Adult Education to the thousands of people who have purchased and read our full-length book, Improper Bostonians (Beacon Press).

THP also collaborates with different organizations and individuals that need information regarding Boston’s LGBT community. We make frequent appearances at conferences, sponsor community events, meet with individual historians about Boston’s LGBT history, and answer inquiries from the general public related to our archives and our ongoing research.

THP is led by an all-volunteer board. Board members, our single staff person, and volunteers are responsible for all aspects of operations including administration, fundraising, program development, research, and archiving.

1. That LGBT history is traditionally overlooked or excluded.

2. That, because of this, LGBT history is in particular danger of being discarded or lost.

3. That future generations may discover and access a historical record of this vibrant community.