10/30 EDIT: The Faulkner Morgan Archive is named after Henry Faulkner and Robert Morgan, as stated in the post. Faulkner passed in 1981 but Robert Morgan is still alive and active in the community.
Zac Alfson, a local community leader, recently took part in the Next City Vanguard program—a gathering of changemakers and urban innovators held in Lexington, Kentucky. Over several days, Zac explored how cities are tackling challenges like equity, civic engagement, and community resilience. Inspired by standout initiatives, he’s now sharing his take on the creative projects and strategies he encountered and how these ideas could be adapted to make a meaningful impact in Orlando.
In Lexington, Kentucky, the Faulkner Morgan Archive (Website) has become a steward of LGBTQ+ history, preserving and celebrating stories that capture the spirit of resilience, creativity, and activism in the region. The archive is named in honor of the late artists Henry Faulkner and Robert Morgan, both of whom were central figures in Lexington’s queer culture and artistic community. The archive’s collection is a treasure trove of photographs, letters, and memorabilia that span decades, revealing a complex and often hidden history. Figures like Sweet Evening Breeze, a celebrated drag queen and trailblazer who defied societal norms in the 1940s, and activist Linda Peyser, who championed equal rights in the 1980s, are brought to life through the archive’s meticulous work.
But instead of keeping these stories confined to storage, Faulkner Morgan Archive takes history to the streets with projects like the Pride of Place Walking Tour (Website). By tracing the steps of Lexington’s LGBTQ+ community through significant sites, the tour turns sidewalks into galleries and alleyways into storytelling spaces, highlighting the people and places that shaped the city’s queer identity. It’s not just about landmarks; it’s about the lived experiences that these spaces represent—protests, secret meetings, first kisses, and bold acts of defiance. For the Faulkner Morgan Archive, the goal is clear: make the city itself a living exhibit, where history is not locked away but interwoven into the everyday landscape.
Orlando could benefit from a similar approach, using its unique neighborhoods like Mills 50 to spotlight the contributions and stories of its own LGBTQ+ community. While Mills 50 is already known for its vibrant mix of businesses, murals, and cultural events, it’s been a longstanding gathering place for artists, activists, and the queer community. Imagine a walking tour that starts outside a small café where early community meetings took place, moves to a mural depicting Orlando’s first Pride, and stops in front of a former bar that served as a haven for LGBTQ+ communities. Such a tour wouldn’t just highlight historic sites; it would connect people to our ongoing story of courage and inclusion.
Without a dedicated LGBTQ+ museum, many of Orlando’s stories risk being forgotten or remain hidden away in private collections. The GLBT History Museum of Central Florida (Website) has been working for years to collect and preserve these narratives through oral histories, photographs, and artifacts. But without a physical space, much of this history is still inaccessible to the broader public. A walking tour would change that—taking history out of the archives and into public view.
The potential for this kind of project in Orlando goes far beyond nostalgia. It’s about identity, pride, and visibility. While development surges and new buildings rise, Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community—like many others across the country—faces the threat of losing its cultural landmarks to gentrification and change. A walking tour would help preserve these sites in a way that’s both informative and celebratory, reinforcing Mills 50’s role as a vibrant, inclusive space where queer history is not only acknowledged but centered.
To make it happen, collaboration would be key. The Faulkner Morgan Archive didn’t just spring up overnight—it took a dedicated group of volunteers, community members, and supporters working tirelessly to build and maintain it. The same would be true in Orlando. Partnerships between the GLBT History Museum, local artists, businesses, and residents could form the backbone of a project that brings these stories to life. As Orlando continues to grow, initiatives like these could help anchor its identity, reminding residents and visitors alike that this is a city built on diverse voices and shared histories.
The power of a project like this is in its ability to turn ordinary places into extraordinary experiences. Imagine standing on a corner and scanning a code that shows you a video of the first march for equality down that very street, or hearing a longtime resident share their story of coming out in a time and place where it was dangerous to do so. The impact is visceral and immediate. And for people who have lived through those experiences, it’s a validation that their stories matter—that they’re part of something bigger.
There’s a deeper message here: history doesn’t just belong in museums—it belongs to everyone. By taking these narratives out of private collections and into public view, Orlando would be creating something more than a history lesson. It would be fostering a sense of ownership and pride among its LGBTQ+ residents, while also educating the broader community on the rich, complex, and vibrant history that has shaped the city’s present.
As one Lexington resident put it, “We’ve always been here. These are our streets, too. Seeing our history on display means people can’t ignore it anymore.” Orlando has an opportunity to make a similar statement. Establishing an LGBTQ+ history walking tour would not only honor those who fought for inclusion and equality but also set the stage for future generations to feel connected to their city in a deeply personal way.
For a city as diverse as Orlando, creating a walking tour that highlights the LGBTQ+ community’s contributions would be more than just a commemoration—it would be a celebration. A celebration of resilience, of creativity, and of a community that has always been a crucial part of Orlando’s story. It’s time to bring these stories out of the archives and onto the streets, where they can be seen, heard, and felt by all.