THE LGBTQ AMERICA THEME STUDY AT 10: History, Place, and Future
October 27, 2026 | 6:30pm to 7:45pm EST
Zoom
A national conversation with editor Megan E. Springate marking the 10th anniversary of the National Park Service’s groundbreaking 2016 study of LGBTQ+ history and historic places nationwide.
Ten years later, the LGBTQ America Theme Study remains an important resource for recognizing and preserving LGBTQ+ historic places.
This conversation will reflect on its lasting impact, the growing national movement to document and interpret LGBTQ+ place-based history, and the resilience of LGBTQ+ people in recognizing the value of their history.
Join us to explore the power of community and place, the importance of preserving and sharing our history, and opportunities to build on this landmark work in the years ahead.
About the LGBTQ America Theme Study: Published in 2016, the National Park: Service’s groundbreaking study was the first national effort to document LGBTQ+ history through historic places. Bringing together leading scholars, preservationists, and public historians, it continues to advance efforts to recognize and preserve LGBTQ+ historic sites across the country.
Meet the Speakers
Megan Springate (she/they) is an archaeologist by training. Passionate about sharing the magic of experiencing queer histories in the places where they happened, she connects these local events to our collective American identity. She loves messy history and wrestling with ideas about identity and meaning across time and culture. Megan edited the 2016 National Park Service publication, “LGBTQ America.” She is an Assistant Research Professor in Anthropology at the University of Maryland.
Ken Lustbader (he/him) is Founder and Coordinator of the LGBTQ+ Heritage Alliance and Co-Director of the NYC LGBTQ Historic Sites Project. A nationally recognized historic preservation consultant, he has spent more than three decades advancing the recognition, interpretation, and preservation of places important to LGBTQ+ history and culture.