Last year, World Monuments Fund (WMF) announced a commitment to underrepresented heritage as one of three global priorities. This year is significant for the Pride movement and the LGBTQ+ community as it marks 50 years since the first Pride took place in the United Kingdom. Join WMF Britain for its annual Paul Mellon Lecture (UK), in partnership with Strawberry Hill House and Queer Britain.

This special event takes a fresh look at Horace Walpole, the creator of the "little Gothic castle” at Strawberry Hill, his sexuality, and the liberating impact of the Grand Tour, exploring research into the correspondence between his network of friends and acquaintances, which has informed the interpretation of the house and collection. The discussion will also address the importance of telling historical LGBTQ+ narratives across the cultural sector, ensuring these stories are preserved, understood, and celebrated.

The event, hosted by John Darlington, Executive Director at WMF Britain, will spotlight WMF’s focus on underrepresented heritage and its involvement at Strawberry Hill. Dan Vo, Head of Learning and Engagement at Queer Britain will join Joseph Galliano, Director and Co-Founder of Queer Britain in conversation, taking the audience on their own Grand Tour from Walpole to the UK’s first LGBTQ+ museum.  The event will include a Q&A with both speakers.

“Queer people have impacted every part of culture, yet all too often their lives have been written in the margins of history books.” —Queer Britain