St. Louis – The Missouri History Museum presents unique exhibits that delve into lesser-told parts of St. Louis history. Since the late 1800s, the museum has been a hub for local history, and currently features exhibits highlighting the impact the LGBTQIA+ community has had on the city.
The exhibit dates back to 1904, the year of the St. Louis World’s Fair, and the publication of “Story of a Life” by Claude Harlandy, one of the first autobiographies to portray life as a member of St. Louis’ LGBTQIA+ community.
Ian Darnell, assistant curator of LGBTQIA+ collections, explained the significance of the exhibit: “This exhibit shows that LGBTQIA+ people are woven throughout the history of our city,” said Darnell, who has been working to uncover this history for the past decade. “We cannot tell this history completely, fully, and truthfully without including the experiences, struggles, and accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ people.”
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The Missouri History Museum’s “Gateway to Pride” exhibit features more than 150 historical items, including costumes and interactive activities like dancing under a disco ball. It offers a new perspective on American and St. Louis history by focusing on how LGBTQIA+ people experienced and shaped events.
Speaking about the special feature of the exhibit, managing director of public relations Adrian Sharp said: “It’s a memorial roost and an opportunity for visitors to come and pay their respects to their loved ones and memories with the LGBTQIA+ community.”
The exhibit will educate visitors about the LGBTQIA+ acronym and showcase the resilience, contributions and struggles of LGBTQIA+ people in St. Louis. “This is the first time the Missouri History Museum has explored the LGBTQIA+ experience in St. Louis on such a large scale and in-depth,” Darnell said.
Sharp added: “Ten years ago this would have been unthinkable. Look at the progress we’ve made. We’re now able to share these stories that have been hidden for so many years.”
The exhibit opens this weekend in celebration of Pride Month and will run through next June. For more information, visit MoHistory.org.
