Use Our Collections

Our collections are a rich resource for activists, artists, scholars, museums, and community members.

To request use of the collections of the Faulkner Morgan Archive, please fill out the research request form below. A staff member will be in touch to confirm your research request.

How have researchers used our collections?

  • Adriana Sisko and The Country

    “In 2020–2021, I led The Country: Remembering Lexington’s First Lesbian Bar. This oral history project documented the vibrant stories of The Country, a lesbian bar that operated in Lexington, Kentucky from the late 1970s into the early 1980s. I interviewed 14 women who found community and belonging in this space they created for themselves.

    While, unfortunately, the stories of queer women have not always been well-documented, the Faulkner Morgan Archive has made an active effort to preserve and amplify these voices. The FMA provided indispensable support. Their collections, including artifacts from The Country, added depth and context to the 14 oral histories that I collected. The archive fully supported my use of these materials within my research and dissertation. The FMA also facilitated connections within the LGBTQ+ community, helping me reach women whose stories highlighted The Country’s vital role as a space of joy and resilience. The archive even facilitated a reunion event that brought together interviewees to honor their shared history, and also to give back to the community who opened their hearts to share so much. Also, since then, the archive has continued to highlight my contributions to its holdings both on its website and in the form of pop-up exhibits which I could not be happier about. 

    By combining my interviews with physical materials from their archive, the Faulkner Morgan Archive has ensured that the stories of these women will remain accessible to future generations. I am deeply grateful for the Faulkner Morgan Archive’s vision and support. They made this project possible.”

Request a research visit

archive use regulations:

1. Permission to Examine. Permission to examine archival material may be granted to qualified researchers upon completion of the research request form. Such permissions are granted subject to the restrictions that may have been placed on the manuscripts by their donors or depositors, or by the limitations of space, staff, and resources.

2. Permission to Publish. Permission to examine materials is not an authorization to publish them. Researchers who plan eventual publication of their work are urged to make inquiry concerning overall restrictions on publication before beginning their research. Authorization to publish is granted and any associated fees are negotiated through the FMA and its board.

A. In giving permission to publish material, the FMA does not surrender its own right thereafter to publish the material or to grant permission to others to publish it; nor does FMA assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or of publication rights in the material held by others.

B. Exclusive rights to examine or publish material will not be granted under any circumstance.  

3. Use of Materials. Only paper, pencils (no pens or markers), laptop computers, and other needed references or notes may be used in the research area. Archival materials, including photographs, must be handled with care. Materials should be placed flat on the desk. Researchers should not lean on, write on, prop up, or fold materials and the existing order of all materials must be maintained. Surfaces of photographic prints should never be touched. Food and beverages are not permitted while handling materials.

4. Photoduplication. FMA will not consider requests for the photoduplication of archival material.  Material may be photographed at the discretion of the FMA for research use only. No tripods or camera stands will be allowed.

5. Research Assistance. The FMA does offer research assistance for individuals or organizations unable to visit the archive, including reference, document retrieval, and training at the following rates: non-profit entity and individual researchers: $60/hour; for-profit entity: $120/hour.

PUBLISHING FROM THE COLLECTIONS:

To request publication of an image/artifact/document, please complete this request form.

BORROWING FROM THE COLLECTIONS:

To request a loan of an image/artifact/document for your institution, please complete this request form.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No, using the collections of the Faulkner Morgan Archive is a free service, but as a non-profit organization, consider a donation to help us keep the archive free of use.

  • No, the FMA is closed stacks. Staff members will help you identify the sources applicable to your project and retrieve that material for you.

  • Yes, we do allow photographs of the material for research use only and at the discretion of the FMA staff. Photographs may not be published in any form. We do not allow tripods or camera stands.

  • Yes, you may request to publish using this FORM. Please note that fees do apply.

  • Yes, you may request a loan for your exhibiting institution by completing this FORM. Please note that fees do apply. 

Have LGBTQ History to Share?


Help us preserve Kentucky’s LGBTQ stories by donating materials to our archive. From personal letters and photos to event memorabilia and artwork, your contributions help keep our community’s history alive.