As Halloween draws near, join Ranger Meaghan Michel of the Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site for a dive into the queer history and themes of the novel ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker.

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.

RSVP on Eventbrite, link to the Zoom will be sent out the day of the event. Email info@historyproject.org with any questions. For security purposes, Zoom meetings require an authenticated Zoom account, so please be sure to register with Zoom prior to the event.

This event is free and open to the public, any donations made will benefit The History Project. Thank you for your support!

About the Speakers and Organizations

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.

The History Project is Boston's LGBTQ community archives. A volunteer-driven 501(c)3, its mission is to document, preserve, and share LGBTQ history.