Former Wilton Manors Mayor Launches $1,776 Pride Challenge To Protect LGBTQ+ History Before America’s 250th Birthday

As conversations around history, identity and public memory continue to intensify across the country, one South Florida leader is putting resources behind preservation efforts and inviting others to do the same.

Former Wilton Manors Mayor and Storks Bakery founder Jim Stork has announced the $1,776 Challenge, a matching donation campaign benefiting the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library (SNMAL). Timed to coincide with Pride Month and the lead-up to America’s 250th birthday in 2026, the initiative encourages supporters nationwide to contribute while reinforcing a message that feels increasingly urgent: LGBTQ+ history is American history.

The announcement follows a banner year for SNMAL, which recently drew attention for its exhibition Von Steuben: Architect of American Independence, a project supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities. A Museum Looking Beyond Pride Month

For SNMAL leadership, the campaign represents more than fundraising. It’s about protecting institutions that preserve stories often excluded from traditional historical narratives.

“We are truly grateful for the support we have received this year, not just for von Steuben but that more and more people understand that what is protected by the museum, archives, and library is foundational to our community,” said Robert Kesten, president and CEO of Stonewall National Museum.

“Our recent Stonewall Honors celebration, which debuted our virtual exhibit On the Shoulders of Heroes, was also an amazing success, and we have so much more on the horizon that needs support to truly come alive.”

Kesten also framed the challenge as part of a broader effort to sustain LGBTQ+ cultural institutions during a moment of political pressure.

“This challenge, brought to us by a wonderful long-time friend, is not only heartwarming but highlights why NOW is the perfect time to show your direct support. Institutions like Stonewall National Museum are under attack by both federal and state figures, and we need to stand united in the fight for the future of LGBTQ+ individuals everywhere. This Pride, don’t just wear rainbows or show your flag — stand tall with your institutions while celebrating our stories and remind people we will always be here.” Revisiting An Overlooked Figure In American History

At the center of the museum’s recent momentum is Von Steuben: Architect of American Independence, an exhibition that reexamines the legacy of Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben.

Though frequently reduced to a historical footnote, von Steuben played a pivotal role during the American Revolution. His military training methods and organizational reforms helped transform the Continental Army into a more disciplined force and contributed to the United States’ fight for independence.

Historians have long debated details of von Steuben’s personal life, but many believe he was a gay man who navigated his identity privately during the 18th century.

The exhibition arrives as part of the National Endowment for the Humanities’ 2026 A More Perfect Union initiative, which supports projects that deepen public engagement with American history and reflect on the people who shaped the nation’s founding.

Following its initial success, the exhibit is expected to travel to additional locations across the United States. Preserving LGBTQ+ History For The Next Generation

Founded more than five decades ago in South Florida, Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library is widely recognized as one of the nation’s most significant LGBTQ+ historical institutions and the first LGBTQ+ museum in the United States.

Its collections include millions of pages of records, archival materials and historical resources documenting decades of activism, culture and social change.

As the country approaches its semiquincentennial celebration, supporters behind the $1,776 Challenge hope the moment becomes an opportunity not only to reflect on the nation’s past but to ensure LGBTQ+ voices remain part of the historical record moving forward.

To donate to SNMAL, click here.

To learn more about current exhibitions and events, click here.

Major support for the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library is provided by the Broward County Cultural Division, the Cultural Council and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.

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