Exhibit honoring local LGBT history opens on Friday

12:30 p.m.


Exhibit honoring local LGBT history opens on Friday

RiverStones Custom Framing and The Franklin Gallery are hosting an exhibit that opens Friday called "Seacoast LGBT History: Even More Impact and Influence." (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER -- You don't have to go far to find out who made LGBT history on the seacoast. It's as close as your back yard.

RiverStones Custom Framing and The Franklin Gallery are hosting an exhibit that opens Friday called "Seacoast LGBT History: Even More Impact and Influence."

"This is the third year we are exhibiting in Rochester," Tom Kaufhold, founder of the Seacoast LGBT History project, said. "We are excited to have the opportunity to display artifacts that we recently received and could not include in other exhibits."

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion, New York City, considered by many to be the birth of the modern gay rights movement, the Seacoast LGBT History Project will also have special panels covering the general history of the gay rights movement - from Stonewall to the AIDS epidemic.

"Our purpose is to research, document and preserve the history of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people on the Seacoast of New Hampshire," he said. Items range from vintage guides, to posters, DVDs, brochures, pins, photographs, awards, newspaper clippings and other items that tell the story of the Seacoast LGBT community.

"We have sorted the items into categories: Arts/Culture, Health, Politics/Activism, Commerce, Social Life and Spirituality and have artifacts in each as well as profiles of individuals who have influenced the Seacoast," Kaufhold said.

The exhibit's opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. on Aug. 8 at The Franklin Gallery, located at RiverStones Custom Framing, 33 North Main St, Rochester. Light refreshments will be served and the public is invited.

"I am excited to offer my gallery space again to display new artifacts from this very important project," said Kris Ebbeson, proprietor of RiverStones Custom Framing and Franklin Gallery.

The exhibit will be open through Aug. 30. Rochester Pride Day is Aug.24 and the gallery will be opened until 4 p.m. that day.

RiverStones Custom Framing and the Franklin Gallery are open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit the Seacoast NH LGBT Facebook page or email seacoastnhlgbthistory@gmail.com or call RiverStones at (603) 812-1488 or send e-mail to riverstonescustomframing@gmail.com.