When Tessa Fox joined Llandudno Museum and Gallery’s Digital Student Placement program in early 2021, she had already completed an internship with Fairhurst Gallery and Framing workshop in Norwich and was working towards her Masters Degree in Museum Studies at the University of Manchester. A discussion about her career goals after graduation indicated a clear interest in research and making marginalised histories accessible to new audiences. I invited her to work with me to create Llandudno’s Hidden History: LGBTQ+ Heritage Walk 2021 which is our second LGBTQ+ history walk.
Her task was to identify a list of 8 to 10 Llandudno figures and events set in Llandudno that made LGBTQ+ history and write up a short biography for each. From contacting local organisation, to identifying potential images, to indepth discussions on the responsibilities of museums to promote diversity, Tessa’s dedication helped us move the project forward at lightning speed.
In her own words:
Working for Llandudno Museum and Gallery on the creation of the LGBTQ+ Heritage Walk has meant more to me than I think I can actually fathom. From the start, I was welcomed and invited into a safe working space with the the museum and my placement coordinator, Dr DeAnn Bell. I have always had an interest in LGBTQ+ histories and a determination in sharing them with the hopes to further educate myself and those around me. Being given the independence and responsibility to research into the histories and people connected to Llandudno and the LGBTQ+ community was a true privilege.
The main role within my placement was that of researcher. Weeks were spent attending online talks, reading through archives, collating information, images, and reading beyond previously repressive and stigmatised media in order to instead build a positive, accurate and true-to-life profile of each individual. From there, I worked alongside DeAnn to produce short, informative biographies on each person with the intention that these will be read and performed on the heritage walk around Llandudno later this year.
The placement encouraged me to work as a freelancer, which in turn has built up invaluable experience for me. I produced working schedules for myself in order to meet specific timeframes of the placement, as well as keeping a strong line of communication with DeAnn and liaising with communities in Llandudno such as the wonderful UNIQUE. It has given me an insight into the career of an arts and museum researcher, which is something I now wish to pursue further after my degree.
The Heritage Walk and Llandudno Museum and Gallery’s further plans are moving in an exciting direction for heritage institutions. I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of the work on Llandudno’s LGBTQ+ heritage, which has shown itself to be incredibly rich and dynamic. The work I have taken part in is just the start for towns such as Llandudno and I look forward to seeing their heritage grow and evolve as more and more histories that were previously prejudiced are instead celebrated.
Llandudno’s Hidden History LGBTQ Heritage Walk 2021 walks launched on Friday July 16th 2021. Starting on the doorstep of Llandudno Museum and Gallery, we will promenade, stopping along the way to share stories of people and events that shaped Llandudno’s LGBTQ+ history, moving along to The Washington Hotel (now Dylan’s Llandudno) before traveling up Vaughn Street to MOSTYN Gallery. We move from the past and into the future of Llandudno’s rediscovered LGBTQ+ heritage.
We invite participants to help us uncover more of our hidden history by contributing stories, suggestions, or artifacts connected to County Borough Conwy’s LGBTQ+ heritage. The walk is fully guided and includes a full colour take-home booklet.
The next Hidden History: LGBTQ+ Heritage Walks are:
Tuesday, 17th Aug: 11am
Tuesday, 24th Aug: 2pm
Tuesday 7 September: 11am
to book a walk, click here: https://llandudno-museum.arttickets.org.uk/llandudno-museum-gallery-sandbox/2021-07-16-llandudnos-hidden-history-lgbtq-heritage-walk-2021
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