LGBT+ History Month Talk n Tour 2024

Info

LGBT+ History Month Talk & Tour takes place from the 1st to 22nd February 2024.

The Charterhouse is delighted to take part in LGBT+ History Month for the first time in February 2024. We are home to a community of older people, and three of our residents have developed a programme which will help start to tell a previously hidden story about our historic institution.

From its foundation as a medieval monastery until 2017, when women were first admitted as residents, the Charterhouse was a predominantly male community. Many who found a haven in the almshouse from the early 17th century onwards were men who had no family to look after them in their older years, and many were gay men. The Charterhouse community became their family of choice.

The LGBT+ History Month programme aims to bring to light these stories which feature historic governors such as the leading Jacobean intellectual Francis Bacon, Lord St Alban and George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham. More recently they consider the influence of architects Seely & Paget who restored the bomb-damaged buildings after the Second World War, and residents including the distinguished artist and stage designer Robert Medley.

For hundreds of years and until relatively recently, the Charterhouse held an almost unique position in British society by caring for many gay men when they were no longer able to care for themselves. There is a wealth of information and stories to uncover, and our programme will be an informative and enjoyable first step.

Tickets for the LGBT+ History Talk & Tour are available for the 1, 8, 15 and 22 February 2024 starting from 18.00.