When most people—especially in Lexington—hear the name Henry Wadsworth Longfellow today, they probably think of his 1860 poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride.” But what about the man behind the famous verses? In his personal life, Longfellow was surrounded by people we would today consider members of the LGBTQ+ community, including friends, siblings, children, and grandchildren. For this special Pride Month presentation, public historian Meaghan Michel will explore LGBTQ+ history through three generations of the Longfellow family. Join us and learn how queer people in the 19th and early 20th centuries faced hardships, found love and acceptance, and made their mark on history.

Meaghan Michel is an independent historian with a B.A. in Public History from Suffolk University, and a decade of experience as a ranger at the National Parks of Boston, including four years at Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic site. She is currently a guide with HubTown Tours and a volunteer at The History Project.

This event brought to you in partnership with LexPride!

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