Shoppers and neighbours are turning up the volume on Hudson’s queer past , the Hudson Area Library celebrates its LGBTQ+ oral history collection on Thursday June 25, 2026, with interviews, archive displays and a reception, highlighting why these voices matter and how you can help grow the collection.

Essential Takeaways

  • Event details: Celebration at Hudson Area Library History Room, 51 North Fifth Street, June 25, 6–7:30 pm, followed by a reception.
  • What to expect: Clips from new oral histories, community commentary, plus LGBTQ+ items from the City of Hudson collection on display; informal, welcoming atmosphere.
  • How you can contribute: Library seeks donations or loans of photographs, videos, art, documents, ephemera and memorabilia for digitisation.
  • Access and help: Staff will explain donation procedures and archive development; History Room hours and appointment info available for research or donations.
  • Roots and support: Interviews were recorded with OutHudson and supported by John Schobel and the Poke the Bear Foundation in honour of Rich and “Trixie” Volo.

Why these oral histories feel urgent now

Listening to someone tell their story has a quiet, human immediacy , you can almost hear the room. The Hudson Area Library’s project captures local LGBTQ+ voices that might otherwise fade from memory. According to the library’s oral history pages, the recordings document personal experiences, community building and cultural change across decades. That emotional texture is what makes this event more than a lecture; it’s a living archive moment.

How the archive grew , a bit of backstory

The Hudson Area Library Oral History Project has been methodical about collecting and preserving local memories. The LGBTQ+ section was developed in collaboration with OutHudson and supported by donors who wanted to honour community leaders. The library’s digital oral history portal explains the interview process and how volunteers and staff work with interviewees to record and catalogue material. That institutional scaffolding makes it easier for the collection to expand responsibly.

What you’ll see and hear on the night

Expect short, well-curated clips rather than marathon recordings, interwoven with local commentary to give context. The History Room will also display themed items from its City of Hudson collection , think posters, photos, flyers and memorabilia that add a tactile, visual layer to the voices. A reception follows, so there’s time to chat with volunteers and donors and to ask about how items are catalogued and preserved.

How to donate, loan or research materials

If you’ve got a shoebox of photos, VHS tapes, zines or flyers, the library wants to know. Staff will outline options for donating permanently or loaning items for digitisation, and they’ll explain how items are cared for and made accessible. Practical tip: bring any provenance information you have , dates, names, where an item came from , that makes it far more useful for researchers and archivists.

Visiting the History Room beyond the event

The History Room hosts a Local History Speaker Series and offers online research requests, so this celebration is just one way to connect. It’s open Saturdays 10 am–1 pm, Wednesdays 6–8 pm, and by appointment; email [email protected] or call 518-828-1792 x106 to arrange a visit. For anyone curious about local queer history, these resources make it easy to keep exploring.

It's a small, civic act , listening, donating, sharing , that helps keep Hudson’s queer stories alive.

Source Reference Map

Story idea inspired by: [1]

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