LGBTQIA2S+ Stories and Experiences Sought
In recognition of Pride Month, the Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History at The Community Library in Ketchum is calling for contributions of stories, artifacts, and objects representing LGBTQIA2S+ experiences and history in Central Idaho. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two Spirit, and other identities have been under-represented in many archives; this is an effort to better represent the whole spectrum of human experience in the Library’s archive.
“Our archives aim to serve as a reflection of the Wood River Valley community, past and present. However, LGBTQIA2S+ history is largely absent from our collection,” says Brigid Miller, Museum Community Engagement Manager. “We hope to remedy this gap through the ‘Pride in the Archives’ project this June and we encourage community members to share their stories with us.”
From June 1 through June 30, community members are encouraged to bring LGBTQIA2S+ stories and materials to the Library’s Wood River Museum of History and Culture between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or by appointment. These items can be in any form: documents, objects, photographs, videos, journals, songs, art, and more. Materials also can be shared digitally. Staff will be available to receive them and answer any questions.
Staff from the Center for Regional History will be onsite at the Hailey Public Library from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, and Saturday, June 15. Individuals are invited to drop off materials or ask questions there.
Individuals may set an appointment to record oral histories, which will be added to the Center for Regional History’s collection of more than 500 oral histories. This can be done in a virtual format as well as on-site in-person at the Library. To schedule a time for an oral history interview or to learn more about virtual donations, contact Brigid Miller at 208-806-2635 or bmiller@comlib.org.
“Central Idaho is full of vibrant stories that have shaped the culture of this place. Through our preservation efforts, we continually work to represent the rich variety of our community,” says Jenny Emery Davidson, executive director of The Community Library. “We want future generations to be able to look to these archives to better understand the nuanced fullness of our history,”
The Wood River Museum of History and Culture is located at 580 4th Street East in Ketchum, and it is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information, contact Mary Tyson at mtyson@comlib.org or the Center for Regional History at 208-726-8118 or regionalhistory@comlib.org.
