Hidden Histories: the stories of Oxford's women, people of colour, and LGBTQIA+ people

Unearth the stories of those who are often left out of traditional narratives of Oxford: Women, people of colour, and LQBTQIA+ individuals.

This guided journey around Oxford will go back in time to highlight the many ways that women have historically experienced the urban space and family life, uncover how masculinities have shaped and been shaped by the university, and discuss queer experiences in the city.

Together we will analyse the urban landscape and material culture, discuss gendered geographies, and push back on social expectations.

Tour Itinerary:

• Radcliffe Observatory Quarter: we'll discuss how and why histories of certain communities are often difficult to see in the built environment.
• Somerville College: outside one of Oxford's most famous women's colleges, we'll discuss the difficulties that women experienced when they first attended the university.
• St Paul's Nursey: at the first nursery for academics, we'll discuss access to childcare.
• War Memorial Garden: the story of Michael Laurence Dillon highlights Oxford's trans history.
• Lamb and Flag Passage: travelling into the older parts of Oxford, we'll discuss the history of masculinity in both the town and the university.
• Wadham College: we'll see a number of representations of women from the Early Modern period – from both wealthy and humble backgrounds.
• Clarendon Building: we'll end the tour at the historic office of the university vice-chancellor to talk about the history of how women have been policed in Oxford.

If you've ever wondered about the other side of Oxford, the history that you won't hear about on the traditional tours, then this Hidden Histories tour is for you! And you won't just be going away with new knowledge and new skills – all the proceeds from the tour will be donated to the Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, a charity supporting survivors in the local area.