Apropos of the spooky season, The History Project, Boston’s LGBTQ Community Archives, is hosting “The Queer History of Dracula,” a virtual talk with Meaghan Michel of the Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site this Thursday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The talk is free with donations accepted. RSVP at Eventbrite.
Here’s the scoop from THP:
Throughout history, the vampire has represented a number of fears that plague society. The vampire of the 19th century, who can only come out under the cover of darkness and who inspires both repulsion and attraction in equal measure, easily stands as a metaphor for society’s own anxieties with homosexuality.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula, possibly the world’s most famous fictional vampire, was born in the aftermath of Oscar Wilde’s infamous trial for “gross indecency”, and yet the novel is not often discussed in that context. This talk will explore how “the love that dare not speak its name” and Stoker’s own anxieties permeate this beloved horror classic.
Meaghan Michel has worked at Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site since 2018, with a primary focus on researching and interpreting the LGBTQ history of the house. She previously worked at the National Parks of Boston, Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park, and Gettysburg National Military Park. She is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in history.
Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site preserves the home of Henry W. Longfellow, one of the world’s foremost 19th century poets. The house also served as headquarters for General George Washington during the Siege of Boston, July 1775 – April 1776. In addition to its rich history, the site offers unique opportunities to explore 19th century literature and arts.
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