Our Collections
At the heart of our archive lies a treasure trove of over 15,000 items and 250 hours of recorded interviews, spanning two centuries of Kentucky's LGBTQ history. From individuals to events, and from institutions to activism, our collections reflect the rich diversity of Kentucky's LGBTQ community, serving as a vital resource for activists, scholars, artists, and museums alike.
The collections of the Faulkner Morgan Archive are unique in two ways.
We only collect material with a direct relationship to Kentucky's LGBTQ community and LGBTQ Kentuckians.
We have developed an oral-history-based methodology of collecting, wherein donors are recorded describing their collection and the stories their collection holds. In effect, artifacts become tied to the oral histories of their donors, creating a rich resource for activists, scholars, artists, and museums.
Our collections represent numerous individuals, events, and institutions from across Kentucky, and help emphasize Kentucky's important role within the broader national narrative of LGBTQ history.
Featured Collections
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Featured Collections *
All Collections
Tom Brown
Tom Brown was the partner of William (Bill) Petrie. They lived on the farm in Grant Co. Kentucky. Bill died in 1995 and Tom continued to live on the farm until he passed away in 2021. Tom is from Louisville, Kentucky and went to Western Kentucky University to study theatre. He worked from 1969 to 1974 in New York (where he went on a date with Harvey Milk). He moved onto the farm in 1974.
William (Bill) Petrie
William (Bill) Petrie with his partner, actor Tom Brown Petrie, on their Grant County farm. The farm became a rural oasis for many gay men throughout the United States, drawn there by the beauty of Kentucky and Tom and Bill's hospitality. Bill was a prolific painter, tobacco farmer, political activist and passionate gay man living in the rural bluegrass of Kentucky. Bill passed away in 1995. This large collection of artworks and photographs were gifted to FMA after Tom's death in 2021.
Interested in USING Our Collections?
Dive into Kentucky's rich LGBTQ history with access to over 15,000 items and 250 hours of oral history. Whether you're a researcher, artist, activist, or simply curious, our archives are open to all.