On June 16th we screened 'Lavender Hill: A Love Story' to a full room in  the CAP ArtSpace. The screening of the 23 minute documentary was followed by a panel of former Lavender Hill members; Ned Asta, David Hirsch, and Yvonne Fischer moderated by Dr. Jeffry Iovannone. 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the purchase of the Lavender Hill property. 

Lavender Hill formed in Newfield NY (address of West Danby) in 1973, and became a commune of young gay and lesbian activists. The community survived for 11 years, making it one of the longest running queer-based communities in the country. In 2013 a short documentary was made including interviews with surviving community members and original 8mm film shot in 1974. 

During a time when over a dozen "straight" communes also existed in Tompkins County, Lavender Hill which grew to include several homes across the property was unique in its expression of collaboration, intentionality, and social political connection for young gay and lesbians during this period.

Learn more about LGBTQ+ history in Tompkins County at thehistorycenter.net/lgbtq-history and by scheduling an appointment in our Research Library to review our archival collections.