The Michelangelo Trail: A Delve into LGBTQ+ Histories

Bust of Hadrian and Antinous at the British Museum.

Torquay Terracotta Statuette of Michelangelo

Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts

A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie

Explore hidden LGBTQ+ histories from Torquay Museum's Collections by following The Michelangelo Trail around the galleries. The trail can be done in person or through this website by clicking on the object names above. If you're planning to visit the Museum you'll find all the objects from the trail on display. Pick up a trail sheet at Reception or download it below onto your phone/device to find the exhibits easily.

Please note some of the LGBTQ+ terminology used in the objects above, although in use at the time, may not be appropriate to use today.

Use #TheMichelangeloTrail to share your thoughts with us on social media.

Research for the trail was done by Will Emery (He/Him) and Iona Tytler (She/They).

The Michelangelo Trail was supported by local LGBTQ+ organisation Proud2Be and funded by a grant from Art Fund through South West Museum Development.

Torquay Museum Wins Marsh Volunteering Award for the South West

Will Emery of Torquay Museum has won a prestigious award for his transformative engagement work for the Michelangelo Trail: A Delve into LGBTQ+ Histories.
He was presented with the award for the South West region, won jointly with a Museum on Jersey, at a ceremony at the British Museum.

There were 90 applications from across the UK, some from groups of volunteers and some from individuals. The judges consisted of staff from the Marsh Trust, staff and volunteers from the British Museum and a representative from the Royal Horticultural Society.

The 2021 Marsh Volunteer Awards were announced by Muriel Gray, Deputy Chair of the Trustees at the British Museum she said, “Museums across the UK are grateful for the contribution of volunteers to ensure they reach and inspire as many people as possible. Volunteers are also an important part of the British Museum community. The efforts of volunteers up and down the country in 2021 are an inspiration as they gave their time throughout a challenging period, helping museums and heritage sites with their recovery from the impacts of the pandemic. These awards recognise the commitment and enthusiasm of volunteers in museums and we are very grateful to the Marsh Charitable Trust for acknowledging this work.”

You can download the Trail Sheet as a PDF or two JPEGs here.

For further information read:

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