How We Celebrate LGBTQ+ History?
First, we created an online LGBTQ+ History Archive, called New Hope Celebrates History Archive, which was launched in 2013 as Retro-Scope. Since then we have continued to improve, update, and add new content.
The online archive is a repository of change-makers, photos, stories, videos, and interviews of those that have shaped our community. It is the cornerstone of our New Hope History Project and will continue to grow with educational programs, exhibits, and publications.
The New Hope Celebrates History is a place where anyone can discover the riches of what we’ve had: the dazzling parties, fantastic performers, beloved places and unforgettable friends, to feel proud of those that came before us so fired-up to make business or to make change, and the people that paved the way for the strong community we enjoy today.
Secondly, we created portable touring panels showcasing a portion of the online archives and hosted several live exhibits during our annual PrideFest.
In July of 2016, we were granted a space at the New Hope Public Library to showcase our New Hope Celebrates History Archive via an iPad kiosk, which serves as a portal to the Archive in which visitors are invited to access freely.
Program Director, Daniel Brooks, and Exhibit Curator, Gordon Pulaski, led the team in the design, execution, and management of the exhibit. Visitors were greeted with artifacts, photos, timeline, and personal stories from New Hope’s LGBTA community past to present. We hosted guest speakers, a book signing, podcasts, political leaders, and private tours. The three-month pop-up exhibit was a huge success welcoming approximately 4,000 visitors during its short run.