Stonewall: Riot, Rebellion, Activism and Identity an Oral History and Archival Exhibition on the Web

The events of June 28th 1969 at New York City's Stonewall Inn are regarded as the spark that ignited the gay liberation movement, however the mysteries surrounding the incident continue to be a contentious topic. Combining archival research with oral history interviews, I set out to open a window on the past to explore the Stonewall rebellion within the context of the social upheaval of the period, the burgeoning gay liberation movement and the creation of LGBT identities. Interviews with individuals yield oral histories that provide an understanding of how personal stories construct collective memory. Historical texts and archival documents from various collections provide the basis for an analysis of the Stonewall narrative. The result is a digital public history resource and exhibition on the Web (www.stonewallhistory.us) that provides an opportunity to reach a broad segment of the public, engaging the audience in dialogue concerning the Stonewall rebellion.