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50 LGBTQ+ Finds: Talk & book signing

London Museum Docklands — Talk

  • A close-up shot of a man looking towards the camera holding a book wth the cover '50 LGBTQ+ Finds'

    Meet the author for this talk, Q&A and book signing.

  • A rusted, antique metal object with a perforated, circular top and curved handle, possibly an old iron or similar household tool, shown against a white background.

    Learn about what objects like this Pappenheimer rapier sword can tell us about LGBTQ+ history.

2pm – 3pm

6 Jul 2025

Meet author and curator Ben Paites to hear about what inspired him to write his latest book, 50 LGBTQ+ Finds.

LGBTQ+ people have always existed, but often left little evidence behind. 50 LGBTQ+ Finds explores this hidden history through objects found by members of the public, which are recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

In this talk, Ben will share some highlights from his book, including objects found in London. To tie in to our Secrets of the Thames exhibition, he'll share the story of a Pappenheimer rapier found on the Tower of London foreshore, and what it can tell us about sword-wielding women and the rejection of male dominance.

Whether you're interested in history, science, art – or just love a good story – this talk will have something for everyone.

How to attend:
In-person only
Good to know:
We're sorry that this event has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Concessions:

Some concessions are available – read our policy

Ben Paites

Ben is an author and curator at Colchester Museums. He has a background in archaeology with degrees from Cambridge and UCL. Ben’s research and work spans a diverse range of subjects and he is passionate about sharing the histories of underrepresented people, particularly LGBTQ+ history.

Need to know

London Museum Docklands is open every day 10am – 5pm.

If you have time, why not also visit our free galleries and get more in-depth with Docklands history?

Our address is London Museum Docklands, No. 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL. We're just a few minutes away from Canary Wharf and West India Quay.

Check our need to know page to get the answers to all the frequently asked questions about visiting.

Our cafe is the perfect place to sit down and relax for a bite or tea break. We have sandwiches, pastries, snacks and a wide selection of hot and cold drinks.

You’ll also find our shop with a curated range of gifts and souvenirs, including posters, prints, toys, books and jewellery.

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