City of Tempe LGBT History Project

The Tempe Historical Museum is about to undertake a complete renovation of its exhibition galleries.  Scheduled to reopen in the fall of 2009, the new exhibitions will chronicle the history of Tempe, long past and recent past, in a thematic presentation.  The four themes that will comprise the main exhibition are pluralism, the southwest desert environment, city building, and Arizona State University.

The pluralism them will focus on the multitude of groups that form the larger community of Tempe.  These individuals connect through one or more identity characteristics: gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, race, or social class.  Together, they contribute to the distinct identity and sense of place found in Tempe.

The Museum's staff is presently conducting research to add to the existing resources in the collection.  This research includes conducting oral history interviews and searching for photographs and objects to include in the upcoming exhibition.  They need the assistance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-identified (or family or friends of) people who have stories about growing up in or living in Tempe.

If you have objects, photographs, or stories to share, please contact James Burns, Curator of History, Tempe Historical Museum, at (480) 350-5110 or email at james_burns@tempe.gov

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