William Brock Thompson, Historian
Gay and Lesbian History
PhD in American History with years of teaching and guide experience. Former Library of Congress staff member who specializes in LGBTQ history, architecture, and connecting art to lived experience. Author of “The Un-Natural State” and creator of the popular gay and lesbian history walking tour of Dupont Circle. Combines academic expertise with engaging storytelling to make museums accessible and meaningful.
Tour Approach
Art history and wine: explore paintings, architecture, and historical narratives at DC’s major museums, then continue conversations over wine at nearby spots. Tours focus on LGBTQ themes, architectural history, and personal connections to art rather than generic highlights. Small, intimate groups that allow for real conversation and discovery. From Matthew Shepard’s internment at the National Cathedral to Walt Whitman’s Civil War nursing at the National Portrait Gallery, each tour reveals hidden histories and personal stories behind the objects.