LGBTQ+ Historic Resources Reconnaissance Level Survey
Collecting and recording information through historic resource surveys is often the first step in preserving historic places; such surveys establish a baseline understanding of certain geographies or themes reflected in the existing built environment.
The Portland LGBTQ+ Historic Resources 2024 Reconnaissance Level Survey identified and documented 90 resources demonstrably or potentially connected with Portland’s LGBTQ+ history during the 1905–1994 period. Survey records include standard architectural and historical information as required by Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for such Reconnaissance Level Surveys. Due to the nature of the surveyed resources’ relationship with historically excluded populations, each property record contains additional information related to the specific LGBTQ+ associations.
The Portland LGBTQ+ Historic Resources 2024 Reconnaissance Level Survey Report details trends in Portland’s historic LGBTQ+ built environment as illuminated by the surveyed resources. Specifically, the report describes clusters of LGBTQ+ resources in the downtown area and inner east side during specific time periods as well as a pattern of using existing affordable spaces for LGBTQ+ venues and businesses. The report also provides a list of recommendations, which may inform both City and community-supported activities in the future.
Being included in a historic resource survey does not designate or protect resources but does provide valuable information that can be used by property owners who voluntarily pursue future landmark designation.
Read the full survey report.
View the survey property records.
LGBTQ+ History in Portland, Oregon: A Historic Context Statement
Historic context statements are preservation planning tools that detail and interpret the built environment within a defined scope of study, such as a geography, time period, or category of resource. These documents include a narrative description of places, people, and patterns related to the specific context to establish a framework for contextualizing and evaluating the significance of associated historic resources. Context statements can be utilized to advance future research, inform interpretative materials, and nominate resources to local and federal historic designation programs.
LGBTQ+ History in Portland, Oregon: A Historic Context Statement was developed through the LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Project and concurrently to the Portland LGBTQ+ Historic Resources 2024 Reconnaissance Level Survey to contextualize Portland’s built environments within the context of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer+ histories. The context statement explores a range of historical patterns, events, cultural influences, individuals, groups, and spaces that broadly reflect Portland’s LGBTQ+ populations’ presence during the 1905–1994 time period. In doing so, this historic context statement facilitates future identification, documentation, designation, and preservation of LGBTQ+-associated historic resources.
The historic context statement is organized into six themes related to identity, connection, harassment, resilience, care, and self-expression. The theme chapters are not organized chronologically but follow the interrelated development of LGBTQ+ identities and communities during the 1905–1994 period. The full context statement and each individual theme are provided below.
LGBTQ+ historic context statements are one tool for advancing equitable and inclusive historic preservation. The context statement will be useful for researchers, as well as property owners interested in nominating a LGBTQ+ historic site for local or federal landmark designation. The research and contextualization provided in the historic context statement may serve the foundation for a future National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form to further advance of the designation and protection of LGBTQ+ historic resources.
Read the full historic context statement.
View individual context statement chapters:
- “An Overview of Portland’s LGBTQ+ History, 1905–1994”
- Theme 1: “Queer Intimacies”
- Theme 2: “LGBTQ+ Connections in Social Spaces”
- Theme 3: “LGBTQ+ Politics and Policing”
- Theme 4: “LGBTQ+ Health”
- Theme 5: “HIV/AIDS Impacts in Portland”
- Theme 6: “Queer Arts and Entertainment”