National Park Service: U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. National Park Service Sites of LGBTQ Interest

See also: Historic Places to Visit from the LGBTQ Past

Under Construction

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Statute of Liberty

National Monument: New York, New Jersey, Part of National Parks of New York Harbor

LGBT Interest:

A bronze plaque, dedicated in memory of Emma Lazarus' contribution to the completion of the Statue's pedestal is currently located in the Statue of Liberty exhibit on the second floor in the pedestal of the Statue. Lazarus, a Jewish poet, is most famous for the lines, inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Lazarus was single, wrote a poem that describes spiritual and bodily intimacy with a woman, and was fascinated by women couples she met.

Stonewall Inn, National Historic Landmark, The

Christopher Street, Greenwich Village, New York City

LGBT Interest:

Stonewall is nationally significant because it is associated with events that outstandingly represent the struggle for civil rights in America. The nominated sites encompasses a several block area in Greenwich Village, in New York City, that was the location of a series of events, collectively known as Stonewall, that occurred between June 28 and July 3, 1969. Stonewall is regarded as the single most important event that led to the modern movement for gay and lesbian civil rights.

"The Stonewall Rebellion that began on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, is the watershed moment in the history of the modern gay and lesbian civil rights movement. Stonewall marked the first time that gays and lesbians as a group forcefully and vocally asserted their rights to equality under the law. The events of Stonewall opened the door for millions of gay and lesbian Americans to begin pressing for full and equal civil rights. Indeed, within a few short years of Stonewall, thousands of gay and lesbian civil rights organizations had sprung up all across America. This historic site, which is commemorated annually in thousands of parades and festivals around the world, must be recognized as a truly significant place in the history of the modern civil rights movement. In June 1999, the Stonewall Inn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its historic significance to gay and lesbian history.

The event was significant from the day it occurred - creating changes in gay people's lives immediately. On the one-week anniversary, there was a gay march. On the first year anniversary, the first gay pride march was held in New York City, as well as in other cities. The name "Stonewall" has been used very widely - even internationally - to mark gay pride events. The 15th anniversary saw a post office commemoration of the event. An estimated crowd of more than 500,000 people participated in the 25th Anniversary Stonewall March in New York City." At 30 years, in June of 1999, Stonewall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and then as a National Historic Landmark, recognizing the significance of the events that took place in 1969."

Valley Forge National Historical Park

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Valley Forge National Historical Park is nationally significant as the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army under General George Washington [during the American Revolution]. Few places evoke the spirit of patriotism and independence, represent individual and collective sacrifice, or demonstrate the resolve, tenacity and determination of the people of the United States to be free as does Valley Forge.

On December 19, 1777, a tired, ill-equipped, and despondent army limped its way into the fields and hills lying just east of the confluence of Valley Creek and the Schuylkill River. This was an army that had met with only limited success, not because it lacked heart but rather because it lacked the skills and equipment necessary to meet its country’s goal of defeating the British army in open battle and compelling it to leave the United States. Six months later, on June 19, 1778, a new, better equipped, and well trained American army emerged from Valley Forge ready to prove to the world that it could now stand up to the best the British army had to offer.

LGBT Interest

American Revolutionary Army: "attempting to commit sodomy", March 14, 1778

von Steuben Monument at Valley Forge

See also: Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben: September 17, 1730-November 28, 1794

Notes

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