Looking Back and Forward

Conference overview

Post-Conference Recap

Conference participants submitted a number of recommendations at the close of the sessions.

Tiptoeing through the GLBT Preservation Movement

(PDF) Conference organizer, Gerry Takano's 2011 call to reassess GLBT historic preservation, and news of Will Fellows' and Helen P. Branson's new edition of the 1957 memoirs, Gay Bar.

Conference Photos

Photos taken throughout the Conference sessions are now online.

Conference Speakers List

Information on the Conference speakers and brief summaries of topics they presented.

Conference Addresses Preservation of Gay Sites

The Bay Area Reporter article on the Conference

Session Schedule

Looking Back and Forward 2001 Conference Sessions - Activities schedule.

General Comments on the Conference  |  Conference and Delivery  |  Marketing GLBT Preservation  |  FO1800 Website Development  |  National and International GLBT Issues   |  Partnerships

During the June 21-22 2001 Conference, participants submitted recommendations for the Friends of 1800 preservation tasks and activities, including topics for our next conference in the year 2003. These comments reflect the overall enthusiasm and interests in glbt preservation. We welcome all of you to join us in ensuring that the preservation movement continues to be inclusive and representative of our diverse country. Here are the results of our Conference questionnaire:

During the June 21-22 2001 Conference, participants submitted recommendations for the Friends of 1800 preservation tasks and activities, including topics for our next conference in the year 2003. These comments reflect the overall enthusiasm and interests in glbt preservation. We welcome all of you to join us in ensuring that the preservation movement continues to be inclusive and representative of our diverse country. Here are the results of our Conference questionnaire:

GENERAL COMMENTS ON THE CONFERENCE

After attending this Conference, I wonder how many of "us" out there are preservation-minded?

The Conference was a dramatic presentation of queer history.

Good conference, but revise the discussion on interior design to be more appropriate to the rest of the sessions.

CONTENTS AND DELIVERY

Continue to document GLBT sites and seek landmark/National Register Status. Advocate for preservation of specific buildings and/or neighborhoods ­ embrace causes like freeway tear-down, etc. Promote use of Federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit, even for non-profits or agencies. Work to help create a memorial to Harvey Milk and other early leaders in the GLBT movement. Coordinate and lend expertise for future conferences on preservation and the GLBT movement (e.g., National Trust).

Provide tape recordings for self-guided tour of City Hall with Harvey Milk in his own words. [Response to tour on City Hall and interpretation of Harvey Milk's assassination.]

Integrate historical research with interpretation of space, and with public policy and planning issues.

Explore the relationship between built environment and our history, identify physical history; big picture, not one building at a time.

Include core women's issues. Consider Smithsonian exhibit.

Focus on theme rather than a city (e.g., maritime history in many cities not just San Francisco).

Expand with home tours in San Francisco. Promote research and volunteers for walking tours.

MARKETING GLBT PRESERVATION

Inform established GLBT academic and arts groups about the conference and future meetings, e.g., City College Gay and Lesbian Studies and College Art Association which has a session devoted to GLBT studies at its annual meeting.

Provide "resource directory" on website including how to get help with preservation, whom to call, professional associations, and success stories-- project showcases. Fund research projects with grants? Certify/license preservation professionals? Produce art exhibit that travels or resides in City Hall?

Market the next conference: link to SF Pride, then move conference to other pride events. "When you get bored with preserving your youth, come and find out about preserving your heritage."

FRIENDS OF 1800 WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

Develop links/access to already produced gay sites maps (New York, Boston, and Los Angeles).

Use website/email list for networking ­ h-list.  Broaden the website to be interactive thereby international.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL GLBT ISSUES

Create a greater critical mass gained through national focus.

Move to an international focus.

Would like to reiterate the comments of Marie Nelson.  Preservationists (of any stripe) need to connect with the preservation officers in their state to facilitate the landmarking, nomination process.  Architectural historians need to be more informed of GLBT history.  Academic departments teaching this discipline must be encouraged to study this history as much as Palladio or Mumford.

Evolve into a gay and lesbian preservation organization; support landmarking, history campaigns; media contact, professional standards, etc.

There should be a National GLBT association.

Create framework for GLBT physical built heritage; connect to heritage with other cities with similar gay heritage backgrounds.

PARTNERSHIPS

Start a national organization with queer focus.

Work with "gatekeepers" outside of preservation circles also ­ especially planning, economic development, progressive causes (affordable housing, transit, etc.) to highlight importance of history in our neighborhoods and future.

Local groups should support each other across the country in their efforts to save local GLBT sites. Wouldn't it be great to get letters of support from all over the country to save a bar in Detroit or Denver? Because each local site is part of the history of a national movement, not just something that happened in NY and CA.

Conferences educate ourselves but don't reach the gatekeepers who have control over us.

Look at younger generation.