Can you tell us about your background?
I am a student in the Public History master’s program at Central Connecticut State University. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Anthropology with a minor in East Asian Studies at CCSU. My main research interest is Queer history both in America and abroad, especially China and Japan. I work part time at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford as both visitor experience staff and as a horticulturist in the Butterfly Encounter. I plan on continuing my career in the museum field after I finish my master’s. I also like to write, watch cartoons/anime, and cosplay in my free time.
What sparked your interest in history and led you to select the Ridgefield Historical Society as your internship?
I was never one for memorizing dates or battles or “important” historical figures. Then in my freshman year at CCSU, I discovered anthropology when I took a class with Dr. Warren Perry. My world was opened up to a whole different perspective on history and culture, particularly that of marginalized people. As soon as I realized researching my own community and people like me around the world was an option, I fell in love with history. Dr. Leah Glaser, the coordinator of the Public History grad program, informed me of the Ridgefield Historical Society’s LGBTQIA+ Oral History Project and helped me obtain a position on the project. I have done my own oral history interviews with Queer folks in New Britain for my classes, but I was ecstatic at the opportunity to work on a bigger scale and hear even more people’s perspectives and experiences.
What specific projects or experiences have you been involved in during your internship with the Ridgefield Historical Society in 2024? How have your projects shaped your understanding of the town’s history?
I have mainly been involved with the Ridgefield LGBTQIA+ Oral History Project, though I helped out here and there on other projects, such as Pride in the Park and the preservation of historic buildings in Ridgefield. My job has involved a lot of listening to the interviews for the oral history project, and despite not really having heard of Ridgefield prior to my involvement with the project, I feel like I’ve learned so much about the town and the people that reside there. I had no idea there were so many Queer folks in one place in Connecticut, a lot of them having spent significant chunks of time in New York City. It’s interesting to see the blending of New York and Connecticut cultures in this town.
What was the most interesting thing you learned during this internship?
Hearing the perspective of older folks, particularly people that grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, has helped give me hope for the future of the LGBTQIA+ community in this country. These folks not only survived during a rougher time, but thrived. It gives me hope that if they could survive, so can I. It’s a good reminder that Queer folks have always existed and will continue to, no matter what happens. It’s always nice to hear wisdom from our elders (even if a lot of the participants are around my age); we have so precious few in our community to begin with. I am incredibly grateful to the Ridgefield Historical Society for not only being one of the first organizations to pursue an important project like this, but also for letting me be involved in the process. I am also grateful to all the participants in the project for sharing their stories and wisdom, and getting involved in the preservation of Queer voices.
