“In 2020–2021, I led The Country: Remembering Lexington’s First Lesbian Bar. This oral history project documented the vibrant stories of The Country, a lesbian bar that operated in Lexington, Kentucky from the late 1970s into the early 1980s. I interviewed 14 women who found community and belonging in this space they created for themselves.

While, unfortunately, the stories of queer women have not always been well-documented, the Faulkner Morgan Archive has made an active effort to preserve and amplify these voices. The FMA provided indispensable support. Their collections, including artifacts from The Country, added depth and context to the 14 oral histories that I collected. The archive fully supported my use of these materials within my research and dissertation. The FMA also facilitated connections within the LGBTQ+ community, helping me reach women whose stories highlighted The Country’s vital role as a space of joy and resilience. The archive even facilitated a reunion event that brought together interviewees to honor their shared history, and also to give back to the community who opened their hearts to share so much. Also, since then, the archive has continued to highlight my contributions to its holdings both on its website and in the form of pop-up exhibits which I could not be happier about. 

By combining my interviews with physical materials from their archive, the Faulkner Morgan Archive has ensured that the stories of these women will remain accessible to future generations. I am deeply grateful for the Faulkner Morgan Archive’s vision and support. They made this project possible.”

“As a historic preservationist working to document and preserve Lexington's LGBTQ+ built environment, the Faulkner Morgan Archive has been an invaluable resource in my research journey. While traditional archival sources can tell us about building histories, they often miss the vital layers of queer history that shape these spaces. During my research on the Bar Complex for its nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, the FMA's collections provide crucial context about queer culture in Lexington from the 1960s through the 1990s that simply isn't available anywhere else.

The archive's thoughtfully organized collections and deep connection to Kentucky's LGBTQ+ community helped me understand how these physical spaces serve as anchors for community building and resilience. The opportunity to examine artifacts and documentation related to the Bar Complex's history adds rich, human dimensions to my preservation work. The FMA's dedicated staff offers more than just assistance -- they offer genuine insight and enthusiasm that consistently enhance my research experience. Their beautiful, welcoming space creates an atmosphere where this important historic work feels both professional and deeply personal.

Working with the FMA has reinforced my belief that preserving LGBTQ+ histories requires both documenting the physical spaces where our community gathered and collecting the personal stories that give these spaces true meaning. Their commitment to preserving Kentucky's queer history through both artifacts and oral histories makes the FMA an essential resource for researchers like myself who are working to ensure these stories are never forgotten.”