Exploring LGBTQ+ culture in the 18th century

Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay is set to host a presentation exploring the history and archaeology of molly houses, clandestine taverns where homosexual men and cross-dressing individuals could meet in the 18th century. The event will take place as part of the museum’s monthly lecture series, Townsend Talks, featuring guest speaker Megan Rhodes Victor, who will share her in-depth research from the Molly House Project.

Molly houses served as places for members of the LGBTQ+ community to interact and participate in elaborate gendered performances, including ballroom dances and simulated marriages. Taverns provided opportunities for individuals to conduct social negotiations and form bonds of community. However, these spaces also presented a rare opportunity for unmarried or widowed women to find employment, introducing a notable gender contradiction in 18th-century taverns.

Victor, an anthropologist specializing in historical archaeology from 1700 to 1900 CE, will delve into these unique gathering spaces and uncover the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ communities in the English colonial world. Her project aims to explore and understand the social dynamics and interactions within these molly houses, which were pivotal in providing a sense of community and acceptance for those marginalized by society at the time.

Justinne Lake-Jedzinak, director of education and public programs at Raynham Hall, emphasized the importance of the lecture series in bringing together scholars and researchers whose work intersects with the museum’s mission. This particular talk will offer a methodology for understanding identity in the colonial period and possibly shed light on local connections to the Townsend family and Oyster Bay.

“I think this talk will more generally serve as a methodology for approaching identity in the colonial period,” Lake-Jedzinak said. “(Victor) is speaking generally about this phenomenon, and then the information that she gives us might give us another aspect of colonial life to think about and understand the Townsend family more specifically.”

Victor’s presentation will not only illuminate the historical significance of molly houses but also touch on broader themes of commensal politics, trade and exchange, and gendered spaces. Through her research, she may offer fresh insights into the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and their interactions within colonial society, expanding our understanding of the period. It will also provide attendees the opportunity to learn more about an area of historical study which is still developing.

“It’s hard to look back at that time period without looking through too much of our own contemporary lens,” Lake-Jedzinak said. “But I think you can’t rule out that in these male-coded drinking spaces that you could have had more intimate relationships.”

The Townsend Talks series is a unique opportunity for attendees to engage in group discussions and one-on-one conversations with speakers. The event will begin in the Visitors’ Center at 5:30 p.m. on May 16 and include light refreshments. Lectures are priced at $20 for museum members, $25 for nonmembers, and $10 for students.

To sign up for the event or learn more about Raynham Hall Museum, visit their website at raynhamhallmuseum.org.